16-year-old girl arrested in plot to attack predominantly black church
ATLANTA _ A 16-year-old girl has been arrested after authorities discovered her plan to kill people at a predominantly black church in Hall County.
The teen, who is white, planned to attack the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, according to Gainesville police.
"Our investigation indicated the church was targeted by the juvenile based on the racial demographic of the church members," police Chief Jay Parrish said Tuesday in a news release. "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."
It's not clear how the girl planned to carry out the attack, but Parrish said the teen collected knives.
Gainesville High School administrators learned of the alleged plot from students who told them the girl had a notebook with "detailed plans to commit murder" at the church, Parrish said.
Administrators notified school resource officers of the plan Friday and opened an investigation. They verified the threat and turned the investigation over to Gainesville police, who took the girl into custody, Parrish said.
Her name has not been released.
"While we are very concerned about this incident, we are not surprised," Bishop Reginald T. Jackson said in a statement Tuesday. Jackson is presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which includes the Hall County AME church.
The teen was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder and taken to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center.
_The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
