Authorities in Montgomery County, Maryland have arrested an 18-year-old student, Andrea Ye of Rockville, for an alleged mass shooting plot targeting Wootton High School. The arrest followed the discovery of a disturbing 129-page manifesto authored by Ye, detailing strategies for carrying out such an attack, despite Ye’s claims that it was a work of fiction.

The manifesto, along with concerning internet searches made by Ye, raised red flags with state and federal officials, prompting swift action to prevent a potential tragedy. According to reports, Ye, who identifies as male, had contemplated targeting an elementary school as well.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) commended the collaboration with law enforcement, stating, “The charges are extremely serious, involving alleged threats to harm others. We value and appreciate the close collaboration between [MCPS] and MCPD in this matter, which is an example of our shared commitment to identify and address potential threats with due process before they materialize.”

The manifesto came to light on March 3 when someone who knew Ye from a psychiatric facility in Maryland shared it with Baltimore police. Ye had been receiving mental health treatment since December 2022 after making a series of alleged threats. Although Ye claimed the manifesto was a fictional story, witnesses and police found many elements too realistic to ignore.

According to police documents, Ye referred to the manifesto as a “memoir” or an “autobiography,” and a former counselor reported that between October 2022 and February 2023, Ye frequently made harmful comments towards others and expressed a desire for fame through violent acts.

Ye has been charged with threat of mass violence and is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

The county’s crisis center services are being offered to help the community process this unsettling event. Dorne Hill, Senior Administrator for Crisis Intake and Trauma Services, praised those who raised concerns, saying, “A lot of times we hear people say well, ‘I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it,’ but sometimes there are things you need to make a big deal of even if they seem small in nature. We never know until we dig into it.”

Hill emphasized the importance of early intervention, stating, “This is a great case. This is an awesome example of the early interventions that can be helpful to the community and save a lot of people’s lives.”