Mass shooting plot at Catoctin High thwarted
April 5 was going to be the day.
Catoctin High School honors student Nichole Cevario allegedly had been compiling information in her diary on the comings and goings of the Frederick County Sheriff School Resource Officer and emergency procedures and drills followed by staff. The 18-year-old also legally purchased a Remington H70 pump shotgun -- a standard hunting style gun, ammunition, and material used to make pipe bombs such as magnesium tape, fuses, and fireworks. The first entry about the plot came Dec. 16.
The Thurmont resident had no specific names or targets in her writings but she did not plan to leave the school alive. Her alleged plans were thwarted when her father found her diary on Thursday and immediately alerted school officials who brought in law enforcement.
At a press conference on Monday afternoon covered by local media and outlets from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.., Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said he believed the parents prevented the event. "They saw something," he said. "They said something. They came forward. They did the right thing so I am going to give all the credit in the world to the parents of this young lady who helped us avert a tragedy at Catoctin."
[Photo above, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins at Monday's press conference, by Gina Gallucci-White.]
Jenkins said the parents continue to be extremely cooperative.
Cevario was removed from the classroom on Thursday and involuntarily admitted to Frederick Memorial Hospital for an emergency evaluation. She remained there Monday afternoon. Capt Tim Clarke said the agency does not know when she will be released. Upon that time, she will be charged with two felonies: possession of explosive and incendiary material with intent to create a destructive device which carry a prison term of up to 25 years and up to $250,000 in fines.
When asked about a motive for the plot, Jenkins said Cervario was dealing with mental and emotional issues and expressed frustration with her life in the diary. After searching her social media accounts and speaking with friends and family, authorities believe Cevario acted alone. "Taking her out of school at that point eliminated every threat we knew going forward," Jenkins said.
At no time was a weapon or explosive device on property. The explosive materials found in the home had not been combined to construct an explosive device. "I will tell you, obviously, the intent was there," Jenkins said.
Investigators don't know why Cevario chose the specific date of April 5. "There has been no indication as to what would have tied that date to anything specific in her life," Jenkins said.
The month has become notorious for mass shootings and terrorism events: Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma City bombing, and the Boston Marathon just to name a few.
A number of agencies were involved in the investigation including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office bomb squad and Frederick County Public Schools. Clarke said the FBI was alerted to the plot but was not involved in the investigation.
Jenkins lives in the Thurmont area. He was shocked to see a young person masterminding a massacre. "I feel based on what I read, and my investigators concluded the same thing, that we felt this was going to be carried out," he said. "There is no doubt in our minds. We averted a disaster up there. I've never seen anything like this to be honest with you."
