A teenager in Maryland has been arrested for making threats of mass violence, as evidence revealed that the suspect had been planning a mass shooting at two suburban schools in the area.
Alex Ye, an 18-year-old resident of Rockville, Md., was taken into custody on Wednesday following a report concerning a 129-page “memoir” supposedly written by Ye. The document contained disturbing accounts of planning and executing mass shootings at both a high school and an elementary school. Court records confirm the seriousness of the allegations against Ye.
Kanye West had labeled the writings as fiction and had explicitly stated that they do not reflect his personal beliefs. However, a witness who had been shown the writings by Ye contacted authorities in early March, claiming that the writings had significant resemblances to Ye himself, as stated in court documents.
According to court documents, the witness also stated that Ye’s writings suggested that he was ready to commit a mass shooting in the near future. Ye himself referred to these writings as “his memoir” during his interview with the police.
According to court records, the investigation determined that Ye’s writing included elements of both fiction and non-fiction.
According to the witness, Ye’s “memoir” revolves around a transgender protagonist named James Wang, who faces bullying in school and various personal struggles. The witness emphasized that these events seemed to be inspired by Ye’s own life rather than being fictional.
According to court records, Ye, who identifies as male, is biologically female.
The writings provided intricate descriptions of the character’s method for carrying out a shooting, stating that he would selectively choose the classrooms that were the most vulnerable and accessible.
During their investigation, the police discovered various social media posts and online content. This included a web search for a nearby gun range, details about an AR-15 assault rifle, and a troubling statement acknowledging the unethical and malevolent nature of a plan.
The documents do not mention any allegations of Ye possessing firearms prior to his arrest.
Ye is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, awaiting a bond hearing.
According to a statement from Montgomery County Public Schools, Ye is currently enrolled as a student at Wootton High School in Rockville. However, he has been participating in virtual classes and has not physically attended school since late 2022.
According to court records, Ye has a history of receiving inpatient care for mental health issues. He has openly expressed thoughts of homicidal and suicidal ideation, as well as a reported history of suffering abuse. The witness who first alerted law enforcement about Ye’s “manifesto” had personal knowledge of him from their time together in a psychiatric care facility.
According to court documents, Ye had been previously hospitalized for various issues, including making threats to “shoot up a school.”
