Police arrested a 16-year-old girl who they believed planned to attack a predominantly Black church and kill the members inside.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the teen, who is white, allegedly planned to target the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, based on the racial demographic of the church.
“Our investigation indicated the church was targeted by the juvenile based on the racial demographic of the church members,” Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish said. “The church was immediately notified of the incident by Gainesville police to ensure the safety of our community and the current threat was under control.”
Parrish said that the girl collected knives, but police declined to say how exactly she intended to carry out the alleged attack.
Students alerted Gainesville High School officials about the alleged plans. Upon verifying the threat through their own investigation, the school then turned it over to the police. Students described the girl as having a notebook with “detailed plans to commit murder” at the church.
The teenager is now facing charges of criminal attempt to commit murder.
