HYANNIS, Mass. — A Massachusetts man is facing charges after he allegedly wrote a post on social media threatening to shoot up a school.
Police arrested Justin Moreira in his mother’s home, where he had locked himself inside his basement bedroom, WFXT reported.
Prosecutors in court Tuesday said Moira asked officers, “Is this my post about shooting up a school?” as he was led to a police car, WFXT reported.
A woman contacted police after seeing the post on Facebook, which allegedly read: “I hate you all so much. If you see me on the news for a school shooting, 57 students and teachers injured, or one pops up and never becomes solved, don’t be surprised,” WFXT reported. The post ended with a smiley face emoji, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors told WFXT that they found a firearm silencer and a bullet casing in Moreira’s bedroom, but no firearms.
Moreira allegedly told officers that “he just wants to scare people and it was a mistake. He said he had no intention of shooting up a school,” WFXT reported.
“When you look at what it is that’s posted, I would suggest that it’s consistent with someone who is dealing with their own demons — drinking, drugging — sitting at the desk and posting something. He doesn’t say kill, he says injured,” Moreira’s defense attorney said in court, WFXT reported.
Prosecutors detailed Moreira’s criminal past in court, according to WFXT, which included a federal conviction and prison time for a case related to possessing a firearm and a suppressor.
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