A routine traffic stop for a malfunctioning headlight led to the arrest of a 19-year-old man, Henry Horton IV, after police discovered handwritten notes outlining his alleged plans for a mass shooting at his former high school. Horton, a former student of Okeechobee High School, was apprehended by detectives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office on Thursday.
The documents found in Horton’s possession reportedly detailed plans for mass killings at several locations. The Sun Sentinel reported that Horton had conducted surveillance at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a site previously devastated by a mass shooting in 2018 that resulted in 17 deaths and 17 injuries. Horton had been seen at the school during school hours, observing the students.
When questioned about his motives for planning such a horrific attack at Stoneman Douglas, Horton stated that he sought “attention or fame.” The NY Daily News reported that Horton had plans to acquire a M1911 handgun and an AK-47 for the mass shooting. Additionally, he had a separate plan for a “stabbing spree” at El Ray Jesus church in Miami, where he anticipated causing 10 more fatalities.
Despite these chilling revelations, Horton’s parents maintain that their son is not a public threat but is grappling with mental health issues. His mother, Marcie Horton, revealed that earlier this year, Horton had voluntarily admitted himself to a mental hospital in Virginia. However, he left the facility without receiving a diagnosis. Marcie expressed her belief that her son needs mental health treatment rather than criminal prosecution.
Horton reportedly spoke candidly to the authorities without legal representation, confessing his thoughts about mass killings. He disclosed his desire to kill 15 people at his former high school on his 22nd birthday in 2026. He also expressed a wish to be killed by the police.
Following his confession, Horton was detained under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for the temporary detention of individuals believed to pose a threat to themselves or others. While in custody, Horton claimed his plans for violence were spurred by his stepmother evicting him from their home.
Horton now faces charges of written threats to kill or do harm and is being held on a $1 million bond in Palm Beach County, according to court records. If released, he will remain under house arrest with a monitoring device.