(ConservativeHub.com) – A Michigan teenager has been taken into custody after a criminal complaint was filed against him, according to The Hill. Seann Pietila, 19, was allegedly planning on carrying out a mass shooting at a synagogue. According to the report, he was charged with transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to harm someone. In the complaint, FBI Special Agent Ryan Roskey pointed out that the teen’s Instagram messages exhibited his neo-Nazi, antisemitic and suicidal ideologies. The teen also allegedly praised mass shooters who followed similar ideologies and noted his intentions to take similar steps.
In messages, Pietila specifically referred to Brent Tarrant, the mass shooter who attacked mosques in New Zealand in 2019 and killed more than 50 people. In the messages, Pietila also pointed out that they needed a camera that would be used during the attack in the same way that Tarrant had done in his attack.
Apart from the Instagram account, Pietila also reportedly had a Pinterest account that contained multiple posts with Nazi imagery and references to other mass shooters. From his Instagram and Pinterest accounts, investigators were then able to find his TikTok and Discord accounts which helped confirm the teen’s identity.
On Friday, June 16, FBI entered Pietila’s home and arrested him with the help of a warrant, according to The Hill. Pietila told authorities about the Instagram messages he had sent but stated that he had no intention of moving forward with the mass shooting. Still, officials found in his position multiple weapons including, a shotgun, rifle, and pistol, a number of knives, and other instruments. Apart from ammunition, other firearm accessories, and two tactical vests, Pietila had in his home a Nazi flag, gas masks, and a survivor manual.
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