Last Friday, Indianapolis narrowly avoided a tragedy that could have taken countless innocent lives at a local middle school. A potential school shooting plot was uncovered when a student, using the Snapchat username Kayden Bonnet, posted alarming threats on social media. In one chilling post, the student wrote, “CPMS GONNA FEEL THEM BULLETS,” followed by another disturbing image captioned, “SHOOTING THAT WHOLE SHIT UP ON THE 10TH STREET.”
Screenshots surfaced online, adding another layer of terror, as students allegedly discussed bringing three female students to the would-be shooter so other students could be spared. These conversations appeared to encourage horrific violence that could have been perpetrated on these young girls, underscoring the gravity of the threat.
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) immediately responded to the situation, putting the school on lockdown and notifying parents about the serious nature of the threat. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) worked quickly, arresting the students involved in the plot. Local authorities confirmed that the students were taken into custody without incident, and the school was able to resume normal activities after the lockdown was lifted.
However, the aftermath of the incident raises serious questions about the FBI’s involvement—or rather, lack thereof. Despite being notified of the potential mass shooting plot, the FBI’s Indianapolis field office has yet to take any concrete action in response to the threat. Many parents and community members are left frustrated, wondering why a federal agency tasked with preventing domestic terrorism seems uninterested in intervening in a situation that could have resulted in mass casualties.
Many in the community are beginning to believe that the FBI’s focus is not where it should be. With the FBI’s increased involvement in political cases, particularly those targeting Republican candidates, there’s a growing sentiment that the agency is neglecting its core responsibilities in favor of political agendas. Some have accused the FBI of being more interested in protecting the Biden-Harris administration’s standing in “blue” districts rather than safeguarding schools from deadly threats.
As the investigation unfolds, the Indianapolis public is asking why more isn’t being done at the federal level to prevent school shootings. The quick action of the IPS and local law enforcement certainly averted a potential disaster, but the apparent disinterest of federal agencies has shaken the community's confidence in the system. Parents are left demanding answers from both local and national authorities, hoping that this close call leads to meaningful changes in how these threats are handled in the future.
The community of Indianapolis is left with a crucial question: If the FBI won’t step in to prevent school shootings, who will?