A former classmate of the man accused of plotting to assassinate conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk has come forward with a chilling account of the would-be assassin's turbulent school days, painting a picture of a deeply troubled individual consumed by political rage.
A Disturbing Presence in the Classroom
The classmate, who shared a classroom with the suspect in Milton, Wisconsin, recalls an unsettling figure who was "obsessed with school shootings" and frequently voiced a desire to "shoot up the school." This alarming behaviour was not a one-off remark but a persistent and deeply worrying pattern that left fellow students and teachers on edge.
From School Threats to Political Hatred
While his earlier threats were general, his fixation later narrowed onto the world of politics. The classmate described how the suspect's anger became sharply focused on conservative figures, with Charlie Kirk—founder of the Turning Point USA organisation—becoming a specific target of his vitriol. This shift from generalised anger to targeted political hatred marks a terrifying escalation in his behaviour.
The Day the Plot Unravelled
The alleged plot was foiled in June when the suspect was apprehended near Kirk's event in Tucson, Arizona. Law enforcement officials discovered an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun in his vehicle. He now faces serious federal charges for interstate threats and attempted violence, bringing his years of ominous threats into a terrifyingly real context.
A Community Left Reeling
This exclusive testimony raises profound questions about the intersection of mental health, political extremism, and the warning signs that are often missed. The classmate's story suggests a trajectory that was visible long before the alleged assassination attempt, highlighting the critical need for intervention when such threatening behaviour first emerges.
