ROCKVILLE, Md. — An 18-year-old Rockville student, Alex Ye, is set to receive a judge’s verdict on Wednesday after being arrested for planning a school shooting.
Ye’s arrest followed a joint investigation by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and the FBI. Authorities were alerted to a 129-page “manifesto” Ye had written, detailing plans for a school shooting, including strategies and consideration of targeting an elementary school. The document also expressed a desire for notoriety, according to police.
The manifesto, shared with someone Ye befriended while undergoing treatment for homicidal and suicidal thoughts, raised significant alarm. This individual noted that the main character in the manifesto—a transgender Asian person with a history of psychiatric care—closely mirrored Ye’s own life. Concerned about an imminent threat, the recipient contacted police.
The investigation uncovered internet searches, drawings, and documents related to mass violence. Ye had also threatened to “shoot up a school” in 2022, according to charging documents.
Ye was enrolled at Wootton High School but has not attended since the fall of 2022. He was charged as an adult with the misdemeanor offense of threatening mass violence, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy commended the individual who came forward and emphasized the importance of community vigilance. Former MCPD Police Chief Marcus Jones also highlighted the significance of proactive intervention, noting the cooperation that prevented a potential tragedy.
County Executive Marc Elrich underscored the need for mental health resources, reflecting on the timeline of Ye’s ideation and the possibility of earlier intervention.
“This case serves as a critical reminder of the role mental health care and community awareness play in preventing violence,” Elrich stated.
