Florida middle school student, 14, arrested after allegedly stashing homemade guns for robbery plot
A Florida middle school student was arrested and charged as an adult earlier this year after allegedly creating his own homemade guns and explosives in preparation for a robbery, authorities said this week.The investigation into Julian Davis, 14, and his 13-year-old friend began April 27, when St.Johns County sheriff’s deputies received a tip that the boys had been messaging each other on Telegram about “holding someone at gunpoint” to rob them, according to an arrest report.The alleged texts between the boys, who attended Switzerland Point Middle School, contained information about building a shotgun and musket and obtaining zip ties, according to the arrest report.Sheriff Robert Hardwick and federal investigators addressed the case publicly for the first time during a news conference Friday.
Authorities said charging Davis, who they claim demonstrated an intense interest in school shooters, could have prevented a “tragedy” at the middle school and the broader community.Davis was arrested April 30 and was charged as an adult with multiple gun and explosive offenses.Davis and his 13-year-old friend were both charged with conspiracy to commit a robbery with a gun.
The younger boy was not charged as an adult.Between April 27 and 30, sheriff’s deputies and federal agents conducted multiple searches of Davis’ home, finding three homemade firearms, ammunition, suspected explosive components and makeshift handcuffs.Also found in Davis’ home were handwritten notes depicting the construction of weapons and an apparent drawing of what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail, according to photos released by the sheriff’s office.Searches also revealed a tactical vest with “White supremacy drawings” and a copy of the manifesto by Brenton Tarrant, a White supremacist who, in 2019, went on shooting sprees at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 people.Other items of concern found by authorities in Davis’ home included a US Army improvised m...