Crime
Authorities Thwart Alleged School Shooting Plot Following Tip to Sandy Hook Promise Hotline
Washington County, WI – A 19-year-old woman from the Town of Addison was initially identified as a suspect in an alleged school shooting plot after a tip was forwarded to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
However, through a complex multi-agency investigation, authorities determined that the actual suspect was an 18-year-old Indiana woman, who has since been arrested and charged.
On the evening of Monday, February 10, 2025, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a critical tip from the Wisconsin Department of Justice regarding threats to carry out a school shooting on Valentine’s Day and to kill the suspect’s best friend.
The tip, which did not identify a specific school, named a 19-year-old woman from the Town of Addison as the suspect.
Recognizing the severity of the threat, Washington County Sheriff’s Office personnel acted immediately.
The 911 dispatcher alerted a shift supervisor, and authorities placed the suspect’s residence under surveillance while investigators worked throughout the night.
Washington County detectives, in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office, sought to determine the suspect’s possible targets.
During their investigation, authorities quickly learned that the Town of Addison woman did not attend any school, and no specific local school was identified as a target.
The original tip was first received by the Sandy Hook Promise Violence Hotline, which then relayed it to the FBI.
The FBI passed the information to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which ultimately forwarded it to Washington County authorities.
Investigators determined that the suspect was linked to two social media accounts.
The FBI confirmed that one of these accounts belonged to the Town of Addison woman, prompting immediate surveillance of her residence.
Authorities obtained a phone number for the tipster from caller ID records at Sandy Hook Promise and maintained real-time communication with the informant.
The tipster, who was in direct contact with the actual suspect, provided investigators with critical evidence, including:
- Screenshots of conversations where the suspect discussed plans for a school attack.
- Photos of weapons, ammunition magazines, and a tactical vest.
- Images of the suspect’s bedroom, which displayed numerous photographs of past school shooters.
Early Tuesday morning, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT team executed a search warrant at the Town of Addison woman’s residence, taking her into custody.
During questioning, the woman fully cooperated with law enforcement.
It was quickly determined that she was not the individual making the threats but rather had interacted with the actual suspect in an online chat group dedicated to discussing school shooters.
With this new information, Washington County detectives refocused their investigation on identifying the true suspect.
One investigator, using advanced covert online tactics, was able to befriend the suspect on social media.
This allowed authorities to obtain crucial user information while simultaneously instructing the informant to obtain the suspect’s phone number.
Upon obtaining the phone number, investigators confirmed that the actual suspect was located in Indiana. The information was immediately forwarded to the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office for follow-up.
By early Thursday morning, the FBI informed Washington County authorities that 18-year-old Trinity Shockley had been arrested in Mooresville, Indiana.
Shockley confessed to plotting the murder of her best friend and planning a school shooting on Valentine’s Day.
Authorities have found no evidence linking the Town of Addison woman to the Indiana school shooting plot, and no charges will be filed against her.
She was released from custody on Tuesday afternoon.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue to analyze potential connections and digital evidence.
Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis emphasized the significance of the anonymous tip and the dedication of law enforcement personnel.
“An absolute catastrophe was thwarted because this tipster—who wishes to remain anonymous—came forward. I have personally expressed my gratitude to them. As I reflect on the gravity of this investigation and the horrific outcomes that could have unfolded had events played out differently, I am truly humbled by the dedication and performance of my staff.”
Authorities stress the importance of public vigilance and the role of anonymous reporting hotlines in preventing acts of mass violence.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.