© REUTERS / David Ryder
(Martinsville, IN) – On Valentine’s Day in 2018, a day that’s so often associated with love and romance instead became one based in horror: when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Seventeen people were killed and 18 were injured. Later, teen shooter Nikolas Cruz was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for perpetuating the crime.
Earlier this year, in the days before Valentine’s Day, 18-year-old Trinity Shockley was arrested in Indiana after the FBI discovered threatening messages posted online. Authorities say she identifies as male and uses the name Jamie. Her online writings reportedly referenced Cruz, and other mass shooters. She’d also purchased a bulletproof vest while having access to the an AR-15, according to police.
Cops eventually searched Shockley’s home and allegedly found what’s been described as a “shrine” to Cruz. The Parkland shooter had told prosecutors and detectives she acted out in revenge or retribution for “social rejection.”
As a result of the plea deal, Shockley will admit to felony conspiracy to commit murder — in return for spending a maximum of 12.5 years in prison and five years of probation. The Morgan County, Indiana prosecutor’s office is handling the case. They say evidence shows Shockley planned to shoot up her own school, staged to coincide with the Parkland shooting. She’s been banned from ever researching school shooters even again — and will be subject to electronic device monitoring.
Shockley has other terms she must follow, including never owning a gun ever again. She must pay for mental health counseling, and will appear in court to enter her plea on November 24.
