Lubbock man arrested by SWAT intended to carry out school shooting
LUBBOCK, Texas -- The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) released details on the arrest of Stephen Patrick Furr, 29, who was involved in SWAT standoff for more than five hours on Monday before being taken into custody. Federal court documents said Furr was accused of making threats, eluding to a possible future school shooting.
"The foresight of a single tipster – coupled with the prompt action of law enforcement – may have saved dozens of young lives," said Acting U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. "The adage holds true: If you see something, say something. You may help law enforcement avert a tragedy."
According to the complaint, on Sunday, Feb. 2, the FBI received a tip about threats posted on BlueSky, then agents identified the user of the account as Furr and visited him at his home in Lubbock on Monday, Feb. 3.
"Thinking about going out and buying a gun," Furr said in one post. "When in Texas, shoot [expletive] [expletive] am I right? Good thing I live next to an elementary school."
The posts escalated from there.
"Will be fun to legally shoot up a school," Furr said in another post. "I can already smell the blood."
“Anyone wanna sign my gun?” he added.
Furr also posted images from the March 2019 shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 51 people and injured 89 more, said the DOJ.
According to the complaint, Furr was "disheveled and unkempt," when the FBI visited his home. He screamed incoherent profanities and stated that he would not talk to the agents until the President confirmed their identity. Officers contacted two of Furr’s family members, who stated he had also threatened them.
Furr made his first appearance in federal court on Wednesday. If convicted, Furr faces up to five years in federal prison.
Members of the public can report potential threats to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.