JUPITER, FLORIDA: Henry Horton IV, a 19-year-old from South Florida was pulled over by the cops for a broken headlight, but was then arrested upon the discovery of handwritten threats in his car.
The threats allegedly outlined Horton's plans to “kill everyone” at his former high school and carry out similar attacks across multiple states on his birthday on January 2, 2026, when he would turn 22 years old.
What was Henry Horton IV planning?
According to the probable cause affidavit, Horton allegedly confessed that one of the notes which read, 'kill everyone at OHS with my guns,' referred to Okeechobee High School, where he graduated in May 2022.
The officials also said that the notes detailed Horton's plans to kill an administrator at the school, along with 14 others on the campus on the day he turned 22.
Police investigators then searched his phone and Discord account and uncovered that Horton allegedly had more plans to carry out mass murder across multiple states, to build a bomb as well as to kill his stepmother, reports the New York Post.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office states that Horton confessed during an interview that he was in Palm Beach County to do reconnaissance on the El Rey Jesus Church, in Miami, for an attack that he was planning.
The suspect also claimed to have done reconnaissance of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida, where a mass shooting had already taken place in 2018, killing 17 people. Police claim to have seen Horton's car in Parkland on September 11.
A 9mm handgun was also found on the suspect which he allegedly stole from his mother.
Henry Horton IV's mom pleads mental health care for son
At the time of his arrest, Horton was initially transported to a hospital under the provisions of Florida's Baker Act and then arrested on October 5.
Marcie Horton, his mother, stated that she could not condone her son’s actions. However, she asked officials to allow him to receive mental health treatment rather than face charges.
Speaking to WBPF News, Marcie said that her son was a 'good kid' and would not have executed the plans. "It’s no excuse for what he wrote. I’m not saying that, but he needs help.”
Her thoughts were echoed by Horton's stepmother Alisha Horton, who said, "Henry isn’t going to hurt me. He would never… He needs to be treated for a mental disability instead of as a criminal.”
Horton was charged with intimidation with written threats to kill or harm another individual. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail with his bond set at $1 million.
