STARK COUNTY, Ohio — A 13-year-old boy is being charged with inducing panic and disorderly conduct after allegedly creating a “detailed plan to complete a mass shooting at the Temple Israel” in Canton, according to court documents.
The minor created this plan on the popular gaming social platform Discord, according to court documents, which states that the plan was reported to police and triggered an “immediate investigatory response and notification of public individuals and agencies including the school system which caused significant public alarm within those agencies.”
The minor, who was represented by attorney James Haupt and not named in court documents, is due for a trial hearing on Dec. 20.
In a statement posted to the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, the Anti-Defamation League Cleveland said they were "horrified" regarding this situation and thanked law enforcement for the investigation.
“And for young people like this suspect, we hope this can be a teachable moment,” the organization posted. “Hate and threats on social media, as in real life, cannot and will not be tolerated.”
The Stark County Sheriff's Office posted an official statement to its Facebook page, saying that deputies responded to a residence in Plain Township on Sept. 7 after receiving a report about "concerning conversations" by a 13-year-old boy on a social media platform. He was arrested and booked at the Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center, the statement said.
“We stand by a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to threats made against our community,” Stark County Sheriff George Maier said in the statement. “Every threat is investigated thoroughly with the seriousness it deserves. We work diligently to ensure that those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Protecting our community is a responsibility we bear with the highest level of commitment and vigilance.”
When confronted by law enforcement, the boy admitted to being a part of multiple antisemitic and political groups on the platform, according to documents released by the Stark County Sherriff's Office Thursday.
An attorney representing the boy did not immediately respond to calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Temple Israel's rabbi declined to comment on the situation to The Associated Press because it involves a minor.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.