What we know: How Kentucky police stopped a possible school shooting

Billy Kobin | Courier Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky man was going to 'commit heinous act' against schools Kentucky State Police commissioner Rick Sanders says a man was going to attack schools but police stopped it

Kentucky State Police announced Friday they arrested a man who authorities believe was close to carrying out a school shooting in central Kentucky.

Police said the man was prepared to carry out a "heinous act" on Thursday and was in possession of over 200 rounds of ammunition and a firearm.

The threat canceled classes Friday for Anderson County Schools as well as some activities at Shelby County High School, where students were on fall break.

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Here's what we know about the case:

Who is the suspect?

Dylan Lee Jarrell, who turns 21 on Saturday, was arrested Thursday evening by Kentucky State Police and FBI agents at his home in Lawrenceburg.

Jarrell was charged with second-degree terroristic threatening and harassing communications, court records show.

Jarrell attended Shelby County schools up until his freshman year, a district spokeswoman said. He obtained his GED through Anderson County Schools in 2017, said district superintendent Sheila Mitchell.

What led police to the suspect?

A tip from a New Jersey woman led police to Jarrell's home on Thursday afternoon, where they stopped him as he backed out of his driveway — about a block away from Anderson County High School.

KSP received the complaint Thursday from the woman who said Jarrell was harassing her with Facebook messages. KSP and FBI agents questioned Jarrell at his home, where he admitted to sending "racially motivated" messages to the woman, according to an arrest citation.

What else did police discover at Jarrell's home?

Jarrell gave authorities permission to search his phone, and officials later obtained a warrant to search his home.

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On his phone, police uncovered "threats of bodily harm against multiple persons at a school," according to an arrest citation, which did not identity the school.

A search of his home led police to believe that "a threat was valid and imminent," the arrest citation said.

Kentucky State Police said Jarrell had a firearm, over 200 rounds of ammunition, a bullet-proof vest and a 100-round magazine, as well as a "detailed plan of attack."

Troopers also found internet search history on "how to successfully conduct a school shooting," KSP spokesman Josh Lawson said Friday.

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How close was Jarrell to carrying out a potential attack?

Police said they believe they stopped Jarrell in his driveway as he was on his way to a school.

"There's no doubt in my mind that as a result of this investigation, we saved lives," KSP commissioner Rick Sanders said Friday during a press conference. Jarrell "had the tools necessary, he had the intent necessary, and the only thing that stood between him and school and doing evil is law enforcement."

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KSP spokesman Josh Lawson told the Courier Journal that Jarrell was acting alone and "all credible threats to the schools ended when he was apprehended."

What do we know about the suspect's history?

Jarrell had been a suspect in a past school shooting threat, according to his arrest citation. When he was questioned about it Thursday, he admitted to making those threats.

Kentucky State Police officials further elaborated that Jarrell had been questioned in May by the FBI about "social media threats to a school in Tennessee," according to a post on KSP's Facebook page.

What is Jarrell's current status?

Court records show Jarrell is being held at Shelby County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. An arraignment hearing is set for Monday in Anderson District Court.

KSP officials said they are discussing additional charges with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the investigation is ongoing.

No attorney was listed online for Jarrell as of Friday evening.

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Billy Kobin: bkobin@courierjournal.com; 502-582-7030.