In a case that has highlighted the importance of vigilance in school security, a 19-year-old teenager, William, who also goes by the name “Lilly,” as the teen identifies as a female, was sentenced to a significant prison term for plotting shootings at schools and churches within the state. The plan, detailed in a manifesto including targets and instructions for making weapons, was thwarted by law enforcement officials, preventing a potential tragedy.
William’s disturbing intentions came to light following a disturbance report at her residence where she lived with her sister. The sheriff’s office was alerted to William’s severe anger issues and threats to carry out a school shooting. Upon responding, deputies encountered a chaotic scene at the home, filled with trash, indicating a deeply troubled environment.
According to the investigation, when police spoke with William, she allegedly said she had been planning the shooting for a month or two and that her former school was one of the “main targets.” The plan extended to churches, with William admitting to deputies her intentions and showing them a manifesto filled with what she described as “schizophrenic rants” and admiration for mass killers. Authorities also found a dry-erase board with a labeled floor plan of a school and notebooks with detailed preparations for the attack, including a detonation device setup learned from YouTube.
According to prosecutors, while in custody, the defendant told a jail staff member that if she had been able to bail out, she would still try to carry out the original mass shooting plan. So her bond was increased to $750,000, and she ultimately accepted a plea deal. William pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, specifically for threatening to target three schools in the school district. Prosecutors initially sought a 10-year sentence; however, William was eventually sentenced to six years in prison, followed by three years of mandatory parole. The District Attorney praised the courage of William’s sister for calling authorities, a move that likely saved many lives. The incident has served as a reminder of the importance of reporting suspicious activities related to school security promptly.
