The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested a 13-year-old boy early Saturday after investigators learned he had made threats of a school shooting and claimed access to firearms.
“There is enough evidence to show that we have stopped something very serious from happening,” said Deputy Carly Cappetto with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they first received intelligence about the boy on Friday, September 5, when information surfaced that he was making threats to kill and talking about guns.
Around 1 a.m. Saturday, September 6, sheriff’s deputies and SWAT served a seizure of person warrant at a home in the 13500 block of 20th Avenue Court East.
The boy was taken into custody without incident and booked into Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center.
During the search of the home, investigators reported finding a large number of firearms in both secured and unsecured locations.
“I am kinda shocked at the fact that he’s 13-years-old and has access to all these guns,” said neighbor Alleonah Perea. “All the guns they were bringing out was crazy. Like stuff I’ve never even seen before.”
Deputies also seized loaded magazines marked with “school shooter” writings, clothing, and additional writings that investigators described as supporting a typical mass shooting scenario.
“There was definitely some thought put into harming people,” Cappetto added.
People in the neighborhood were shocked about the discovery.
“I see them all the times. But I was like, they just seem like a really nice, well-mannered family,” said Tashyla Perea.
With the school year just starting, Tashyla says this is a concern for many families.
“There’s many families out there that send their kids to school and they don’t want anything to happen to their children. And I don’t think this was a joke or I think I was taken very seriously by the evidence that was found. And I hope everyone gets help,” Tashyla explained.
The sheriff’s office said the juvenile was last enrolled in the Franklin Pierce School District in 2021 but is not currently enrolled in any school district.
The Franklin Pierce School District responded to KIRO 7 in a statement:
“This person was not currently enrolled in Franklin Pierce Schools, but did attend one of our schools prior to 2021. We continue to work with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office to ensure that this individual is not a threat to our schools or our community as a whole.”
Officials said the investigation is still ongoing and more details may come as evidence is processed.
Deputies say they can’t interview the 13-year-old suspect until he has guidance from a defense attorney. They say the teen’s parents do not face repercussions currently.
Deputies say they still have a lot of interviews to conduct with family to find out what led up to these threats.
In a statement, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office thanked the agencies and personnel who worked “tirelessly” in the case, saying their quick response helped prevent potential harm.
©2025 Cox Media Group
