A 14-year-old Florida middle school student was arrested and charged as an adult earlier this year for allegedly constructing homemade firearms and explosives in preparation for a robbery, according to authorities.
The investigation into Julian Davis began on April 27, when the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office received a tip alleging that Davis and a 13-year-old friend were discussing a robbery involving a gun over the messaging app Telegram. The alleged messages indicated plans to build a shotgun and musket and acquire zip ties, according to an arrest report.
Sheriff Robert Hardwick stated at a news conference that the arrest of Davis, who allegedly showed an intense interest in school shooters, could have prevented a significant tragedy. Davis was arrested on April 30 and faces multiple gun and explosive offenses, charged as an adult. His 13-year-old friend was charged with conspiracy to commit a robbery with a gun but not as an adult.
Between April 27 and April 30, law enforcement officers searched Davis' home, discovering three homemade firearms, ammunition, components for suspected explosives, and makeshift handcuffs. The search also uncovered handwritten notes detailing weapon construction and a drawing that appeared to be a Molotov cocktail. Investigators also found a tactical vest with white supremacy drawings and a copy of the manifesto by Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
Authorities reported finding a US Army improvised munitions handbook and a copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook" among other items. Sheriff Hardwick indicated that Davis and his friend had planned to rob an individual identified only as "CJ," whose identity remains unknown to investigators. Based on this evidence and Davis's online searches, Hardwick suggested the situation represented a "much bigger picture than just a robbery."
"Davis was using his devices in his home to research things," Hardwick said. "He had a [fixation] with people that had committed these mass school shootings, people that have gone in and done these mass stabbings. So, he was actually spending a lot of his time on there going through these high-profile cases. And it’s something that he actually wanted to emulate."
Davis is currently held on $240,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His arraignment is scheduled for next month. His attorney, Jill Barger, has expressed concern over Davis's mental state in jail and criticized the sheriff's office for publicly announcing the charges, calling it an attempt to influence potential jurors. Barger stated that Davis never intended to harm anyone and disputed the claim that authorities prevented a mass casualty event, asserting there was no evidence of such intent or threats from her client.
The 13-year-old friend was released after 21 days in the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Neither student is permitted to return to Switzerland Point Middle School. The St. Johns County School District clarified that no direct threat was made to the school itself. The initial tip was submitted through FortifyFL, a platform established after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting to identify potential student threats.