Felix Winter began expressing interest in carrying out a Columbine-style attack as early as age 15, during a period when Winter was also involved in online extremist communities and made repeated threats toward students and school staff. The High Court in Glasgow heard that Winter had been in contact with a pro-Nazi group on Discord for more than 1,000 hours across two years, reported the Daily Mail.
Winter pled guilty in February to one charge under the Terrorism Act and another for breach of the peace. The offenses occurred between June 2022 and July 2023, when Winter was 15 and 16.
Lord Arthurson, who handed down the sentence, said: “The whole material available to me indicate that you were progressing towards the brink of perpetrating a mass school shooting, you were radicalised and your statement of intent could not be clearer.”
Police began investigating in mid-2023 after a photo of Winter dressed in tactical clothing and holding what looked like a firearm began circulating among pupils and parents. The outfit turned out to be from a school play where Winter played a kidnapper.The incident prompted further review, and authorities uncovered disturbing behavior over a 13-month period.
Winter had shared violent plans with fellow students, including possible use of firearms, explosives, or poison. A TikTok account linked to Winter showed videos in black combat clothing and a skull mask. A diary entry from January 2023 stated the school was a “virus upon this earth” and warned that Winter would soon prove “I am a God.”
Investigators found that Winter had downloaded 65 videos about the Columbine shooting, some edited with music in a way that appeared to glorify the killers. Winter had also looked into 3D printing weapons and storing instructions on improvised firearms and toxic substances.
Despite four separate referrals to the UK’s Prevent counter-terrorism program, Winter’s behavior continued to escalate. Winter was arrested under the Terrorism Act on July 9, 2023, after returning from a family holiday. Police searches of Winter’s devices confirmed the presence of weapons research and extremist content.
Defense lawyer Shelagh McCall KC argued for a community-based sentence, citing mental health struggles and asking the court to consider that Winter is transgender.
