ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. — A 19-year-old has pleaded guilty to second-degree assault after threatening to "shoot up" multiple Colorado Springs schools, including her former middle school, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Monday.
Lily Whitworth, whose legal name is William Whitworth, is facing up to 16 years in prison for planning the attacks.
On March 31, Whitworth's sister reported a disturbance at their home and said that Whitworth had "severe anger issues" and made comments the day before about a school shooting, according to an arrest affidavit.
Deputies responded to the home and found Whitworth in her bed. She told investigators she had a layout of the school and was starting a manifesto, the affidavit says. She stated she had been planning the attack for a month or two.
Investigators also found a dry erase board which appeared to be a labeled floor plan of Timberview Middle School, where she had attended school. In two different notebooks, investigators found:
- Drawing of what appears to be an office desk set up
- Additional floor plans
- Drawing of a clock to use as a detonation device
- Several names listed
- A list of firearms and how to 3D print them
- Detailed lists of numerous named individuals to be killed
- Information detailing the creation of improvised explosive devices
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It's not clear which two other schools Whitworth was targeting, but the district attorney's office said they were also schools in Academy District 20.
Whitworth was originally charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, criminal mischief, menacing and interference with staff, faculty or students. Those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, according to court documents.
“We often question how tragedies happen after it’s too late,” District Attorney John Kellner said in a news release. “In this case, a family member had the courage and strength to pick up the phone and call for help. I encourage everyone when it comes to school security, if you see something concerning to report it right away. That call may save lives.”
After her arrest, a jail staff member said Whitworth claimed that if she were able to bond out, she would still try to carry out the attack. At that time, her bond was increased from $75,000 to $750,000.
Whitworth is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 19.
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