Police Halt School Shooting Attempt by Transgender Student

For the second time in less than a month, a transgender former student targeted schools for an attack. This time, however, police in Colorado stopped the suspect, William Whitworth, prior to the planned attack on three potential targets.

According to police, William Whitworth, who went by the name “Lilly,” planned an attack on multiple schools in Colorado Springs. The Mar. 31 arrest happened four days after the high-profile shooting at a Nashville Christian elementary school.

Whitworth’s plans were disclosed by a family member. Police responded to a disturbance call last week when a member of the family said that Whitworth planned to launch an attack on a local school and suffered from anger issues.

When questioned by police, Whitworth disclosed a plan to attack a middle school nearby. This was considered the “main target,” according to police, and was Whitworth’s former school. Police found potential plans for attacks on three local schools.

In addition, Whitworth had produced a manifesto and a drawn layout of the school. The manifesto included what police called “schizophrenic rants,” as well as writings about former President Donald Trump and the students who carried out the 1999 attack at Columbine High School.

Police also reported that the suspect’s room was in terrible shape, with garbage reaching the height of the bed. Whitworth was found there drunk. The suspect was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Whitworth was taken into custody and has a hearing set for May 5. Parents at the school were notified of the potential threat. Police issued orders of protection for the three local schools.

The latest news came after the brutal attack at a Nashville elementary school. The attack on the Covenant School by former student Audrey Hale killed three children and three adults.

Hale was transgender and had written a manifesto prior to the shooting. Police have not yet revealed the content of this manifesto.

The attack in Nashville led to a wave of support from left-leaning media and politicians. The framing of the shooting, according to many conservatives, made it appear that the victims of the attack were transgender.