Police in Georgia have put a stop to what could’ve been another tragic mass shooting at a predominantly black church.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports a 16-year-old girl was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder after her plan to attack the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was revealed. Gainsville Police shared in a news released how they teamed up with Gainesville City School officials to prevent the tragedy.
Gainesville High school resource officers were notified on Friday (Nov. 15) about the white minor’s plans by school administrators. Students claimed the teen wrote a plan in her notebook to attack members of Bethel AME Church based on the color of their skin.
“Our investigation indicated the church was targeted by the juvenile based on the racial demographics of the church members,” police Chief Jay Parrish said Tuesday (Nov. 19). “The church was immediately notified of the incident by Gainesville police to ensure the safety of our community and the current threat was under control.”
The teenager is now at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center.
“This is an active investigation and a prime example of how strong relationships between the student body, school administration and law enforcement can intercept a potentially horrific incident,” Parrish said.