A mother in College Place, Washington, is speaking out after she helped prevent a possible school shooting. Nicole, who asked CBS Evening News to use only her first name, called the police after reading her 17-year-old son’s journal. In what the station describes as “chilling detail,” her son allegedly described a possible attack on his high school with pipe bombs and firearms. The choice of date was particularly concerning: April 20, 2020. The Columbine anniversary.
For obvious reasons, Nicole reached out to law enforcement. Her son has been arrested. It was certainly an extremely hard decision for any parent, but ultimately the right one. Police agree with her decision. "She's very courageous," College Place Police Chief Troy Tomaras stated. "It's clearly very emotional for her. She loves her son."
As CBS Evening News reports, Nicole said her son has been living with depression. According to Nicole, her son explained himself by saying the journal was “just a story” and creative writing. But the mother felt too uneasy to let it go without a call to the police. "I'm worried about his mental health and he needs help," Nicole stated. "Truth hurts sometimes."
While unclear what access to mental health care he’s had in the past, it’s important to remember that mental health care is health care, and should be accessible and affordable to everyone who needs it.
"I know a lot of people that go to College Place High School. Their lives would have been forever changed," Nicole continued to CBS Evening News. "It's devastating. I know I did all I can do and that I made the right choice.”
You might remember that in August, a Texas grandmother made a similarly tough call. She brought her grandson to a hospital for treatment after he threatened to “shoot up” a hotel. (Police did find firearms in the hotel room he was renting.) She was able to get him hospitalized by citing concern for his personal well-being, as well as the safety of others.
"It takes a lot to do what I did," Nicole added to the station. "It wasn't easy."
You can watch her powerful interview here:
