Three arrested in Canton over planned metro Atlanta school shooting

Canton police arrested three people on Tuesday after a social media conspiracy revealed a plan to shoot students at a metro Atlanta high school. The suspects, who communicated online, had established a specific date for the attack and created a checklist of necessary gear. They also secured a floor plan of the target school.

The group consists of Shane Keith Taylor, 17, of Metter, Georgia; Michael Brandon Terry, 21, of Chatsworth, California; and a juvenile from Canton whose name was not released. Canton Police Chief Chris Fetter said the three made public or private posts describing their agreement to murder students. The posts included lists of items to wear and weapons to bring, according to warrants obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The FBI’s Atlanta Division flagged the social media posts to Canton police in October. Officers reviewed the messages and identified the three individuals. Fetter stated that the group’s primary goal was to take out students and staff. He noted that the investigation remains active to determine how much more information the suspects had gathered.

The incident follows a long history of school shootings in the United States. Fetter pointed to the recent Parkland, Florida, shooting as an example of how these events impact communities. He said the group’s posts indicated they were aware of these tragedies and wanted to replicate them. The Canton police department is working with the FBI to analyze the digital evidence.

The arrests come as school safety remains a top priority for local officials. Fetter emphasized that the department’s number one priority is the safety of students. He said the investigation focused on understanding the mindset of the three conspirators. The group had not yet made contact with anyone else in the community, according to police.

The three suspects were arrested in their respective locations. Taylor was taken into custody in Georgia, while Terry was apprehended in California. The juvenile from Canton was also detained. Police said the investigation continues to uncover any additional details about the planned attack.