A 14-year-old high school student in Florida was arrested and charged as an adult after authorities found improvised firearms and explosive devices in his room. Julian Davis and his 13-year-old friend Charles Williams had planned a robbery, according to authorities.
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and federal agents began investigating on April 27. Deputies had received a tip that the two boys were exchanging Telegram messages about holding someone hostage at gunpoint to rob them.
Deputies arrested Davis on April 30. He faces adult charges for multiple firearms and explosives offenses. Both boys were charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, though Williams was not charged as an adult.
Weapons and explosives
Between April 27 and April 30, deputies and federal agents conducted multiple searches of the Davis home. They found three homemade firearms, ammunition, suspected explosive components and improvised handcuffs.
The sheriff's office released photographs showing handwritten notes detailing weapon manufacturing and a drawing that appeared to show a Molotov cocktail.
Investigators also found a tactical vest bearing white supremacy designs. The search uncovered a copy of a manifesto by Brenton Tarrant, a white supremacist who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.
Authorities also seized a United States Army improvised munitions manual and a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, a 1971 publication containing instructions for making weapons, explosives and illegal drugs.
Mass shooting obsession
Sheriff Hardwick said authorities had prevented a tragedy. He said the boys planned to rob an individual named CJ, whom investigators have not been able to identify.
Hardwick said internet searches conducted by Davis on devices at his home pointed to a much broader picture than a single robbery. According to Hardwick, Davis was obsessed with people who had committed mass school shootings and mass stabbings.
The sheriff said Davis spent a significant amount of time studying high profile cases and wanted to emulate the attackers.
Davis remains in custody at the St. Johns County Jail on a $240,000 bond, the sheriff said. The 14-year-old maintains his innocence and is expected to appear in court next month.
Defense criticism
Jill Barger, an attorney representing Davis, told Fox News Digital she was concerned her client had spent four months in an empty cell at the jail. She said Davis has become fearful and depressed, and she accused the state of failing to provide the resources he needs.
Barger criticized the sheriff's office for announcing the charges publicly, calling it an attempt to influence jurors before trial.
The attorney said Davis never considered harming anyone. She said police were reckless and cruel to claim they had prevented a mass casualty event, adding that there was no proof, no writings by Davis and no threats.
School status
Williams spent 21 days in the custody of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice before being released, the sheriff said.
Neither student will be allowed to return to their school. Paul Abbatinozzi, deputy superintendent of the St. Johns County School District, said there was never a direct threat to Switzerland Point Middle School.
