A suspected trans-identified mass shooter has been arrested in Colorado after authorities discovered plans to carry out multiple attacks, including on three schools and an undisclosed number of churches.
William Whitworth, who goes by the name “Lilly,” was confronted by police at his home where he nonchalantly admitted to his intention to carry out the shootings. KOAA, a local NBC affiliate in Colorado, has the story.
A former District 20 student is facing attempted murder charges on allegations of planning attacks on three schools in Colorado Springs, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
19-year-old William Whitworth who identifies as “Lilly” has been charged with felony criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree and misdemeanor interference with staff, faculty, or students of educational institutions, menacing, and criminal mischief. The suspect is currently being held in the Elbert County Jail.
When asked why he was planning to attack the schools, Whitworth was non-commital, stating that he didn’t really know. That leaves the motive unclear, but given he was planning to attack churches as well as schools, it seems probable that his trans-identity played a role.
This situation follows on the heels of a deadly mass shooting carried out by a trans-identified individual in Nashville. A 28-year-old woman who claims to be a man killed six people, including three children at a school she once attended. Police found a manifesto pointing to a political motive and announced that Christians were directly targeted in the attack.
Regarding the potential shooter in Colorado, it’s impossible to know how serious his plot was, but this is obviously not something that police can ignore. Whitworth has now been charged with attempted murder, as well as a litany of other crimes related to his planned attacks.