Latest news with #FelixWinter
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Teen obsessed with Columbine massacre terrified pupils with 'shooter' costume
Felix Winter, 18, has been jailed for six years after wearing a costume to school that included an imitation firearm - his class had been studying the 1999 Columbine massacre An autistic teenager who became obsessed with the Columbine High School massacre terrified his classmates by wearing a costume to school that included an imitation firearm. Felix Winter, 18, was jailed for six years after admitting two charges – a breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act – at the High Court in Glasgow in February. The offences occurred between June 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023 at an Edinburgh high school and elsewhere. The court previously heard the 1999 Colorado massacre had been on the S3 curriculum for modern studies. In 2023, an investigation was launched after an image of Winter wearing combat gear and wielding an imitation firearm was shared on social media. Later, it emerged that he'd been given the costume as part of a drama class project, in which he'd been cast as a kidnapper. But Police Scotland learned that he'd spoken to other classmates about carrying out a school attack on several occasions. Winter, whom the court was earlier told is transgender, accepted it would 'cause alarm' when posted on social media, due to the comments he had made in the past professing admiration for the attack that killed 12 students and one teacher. At the same court on Wednesday, Judge Lord Arthurson jailed Winter for what he branded a 'prolonged, deeply disturbing and escalating course of criminal conduct'. The court heard Winter kept notes about the manufacture of cyanide and handguns, and 'relayed a desire to perpetrate a school shooting similar to Columbine, discussed placing bombs in a cafeteria and shooting people as they ran out of school', and engaged daily with pro-Nazi Discord groups online for more than 1,000 hours. Winter admitted 'uttering remarks' about the Columbine massacre, making comments about 'desire and plans to carry out acts of violence involving firearms, explosive devices and poisons against pupils and teachers', showing images of mass shootings to pupils, as well as making racist and homophobic comments. He also admitted making comments about 'planning to acquire a 3D printer for the purpose of manufacturing a firearm', and posting on TikTok showing him 'dressed in a manner resembling those responsible for the mass shooting at Columbine High School alongside audio referencing school shootings'. Winter pleaded guilty to a second charge of, between December 2, 2022 and July 9, 2023, possessing documents or records 'containing information likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism'. Defending, Shelagh McCall KC said the motive was 'revenge for bullying' but she added Winter had 'experienced positive changes' since his arrest in July 2023. She said Winter 'was groomed by an online community into believing his violent fantasy was morally justified' following the 'loss of a friendship'. Ms McCall added: 'The risk assessor report finds that he felt harm was morally justified to those who harmed him, bullies at school and those who failed to protect him. The risk assessor found he started to express racist views in tandem with the rhetoric of an online community.' Lord Arthurson said Winter was 'immersed' in a pro-Nazi Discord group and was referred to the Prevent counter-terror programme in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The judge said Winter 'increasingly saw yourself as a warrior', and had created 'visceral and graphic plans selecting which pupils and teachers you would kill and spare'. The court heard the teenager wrote 'the school is a virus on the earth and everyone should be looking at me as a god', and kept a journal about shooting people. In one video, Winter 'dressed in a tactical vest and helmet and imitation firearm' sought to 'glamourise' the Columbine massacre, while he also posted a video showing him walking along the school corridor, and watched 'gore' videos showing executions and dead bodies, the court heard. The judge said Winter was a 'vulnerable young person', and added: 'It is at least arguable you were progressing towards the brink of committing a mass school shooting and becoming radicalised, the statement of intent could not have been clearer. Your ideation grew in intensity; you took steps to obtain information likely to be of use to committing an act of terrorism. 'Your plans had become a degree more operationalised; you asked a witness to retain a journal and said you lied to police. In February you expressed annoyance you had been caught.' He said only a 'substantial' custodial sentence was appropriate. Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: 'This was an extremely complex and fast-moving investigation, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the diligence and hard work of the officers who worked tirelessly to gather the evidence and bring the perpetrator to justice. 'The inquiry also underlines the advantages of working closely in partnership as part of the Prevent programme, which promotes early intervention through tailored, diversionary support to individuals who may be susceptible to supporting or committing terrorism to help keep our communities safe.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Scots gun nut teen obsessed with Columbine killers who wanted to carry out ‘Doomsday' school shooting UNMASKED
A COLUMBINE-obsessed teenager who plotted to kill pupils and teachers in a 'Doomsday' shooting in revenge for bullying has been jailed for six years. Felix Winter, 18, fantasised about carrying out a massacre at his Edinburgh secondary school after idolising the twisted killers behind the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the US, where 12 pupils and a teacher were shot dead. 3 3 3 The Nazi-worshipper sparked alarm by turning up to class in combat gear and carrying a gun. Investigators later found a chilling notebook where Winter had described his school as 'a virus' and scrawled 'all you f***ers need to die and you will soon.' The teenager - who the court previously heard was transgender and identifies as male - planned to wipe out classmates and staff with explosives, guns and poison, after claiming he was being picked on and learning about 'school shootings in modern studies'. Winter had already been referred to a UK-wide programme designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism before he devised the sick plot. But no further action was taken for months even despite Winter continuing to openly discuss mass shootings. Winter's defence team urged a judge not to jail the warped teen and instead impose a community order. But the judge ruled that out stating in his sentencing remarks that Winter appeared to be 'progressing to the brink of a mass school shooting'. Jailing Winter for six years today, Lord Paul Arthurson added: 'This was a prolonged, disturbing course of conduct.' Winter's parents were in court and his dad collapsed in shock at the sentence. Defence KC Shelagh McCall told the court Winter, who was just 15 when the plot attack was devised, was bullied. She told the court Winter had been 'groomed' by a twisted online community who made the wannabe killer believe the 'violent fantasy was morally justified'. She said: 'The cause was revenge for bullying. Nothing in the investigation provided proper basis for terrorism material. The accused identified with Columbine. 'He felt harm was justified towards those who had harmed him and to those who had failed to protect him.' A police probe kicked off in summer 2023 after a chilling photo of Winter dressed head-to-toe in combat gear and wielding an imitation rifle inside the school surfaced on social media. The image sparked panic among terrified parents and pupils. Winter, who harboured vile pro-Nazi and racist views, had already been flagged to a UK-wide anti-terror programme aimed at stopping young people from becoming radicalised. Winter had showed pals pictures and videos of dead victims of school shootings and even showed one pal detailed instructions involving explosions before telling them a plan to carrying out the suicide attack. Winter then dressed in clothes similar to those worn by the Columbine killers and posted a video on TikTok. Winter admitted to a breach of the peace and the separate charge under the Terrorism Act, with offences spanning from June 2022 to July 2023. Defence KC Shelagh McCall said Winter had autism, and that a professor had found a 'serious link' between the condition and the disturbing behaviour – insisting it was not driven by extremist ideology. She said Winter had shown clear progress since the arrest. She said: 'He has expressed regret and recognises that he didn't previously appreciate how his behaviour was impacting on others. 'He accepts in the context of his plea of guilty and his remarks about school shootings in 2022, him dressing in that costume and carrying that in a school would generate alarm to those who came upon it but this was not his intent.'
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Teenager jailed for terrorism offences
A teenager who spoke of carrying out a mass shooting at an Edinburgh school has been jailed. Felix Winter, aged 18 years, was today sentenced to six years in prison for Terrorism offences, at the High Court in Glasgow. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said:'This was an extremely complex and fast-moving investigation, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the diligence and hard work of the officers who worked tirelessly to gather the evidence and bring the perpetrator to justice. 'The inquiry also underlines the advantages of working closely in partnership as part of the Prevent programme, which promotes early intervention through tailored, diversionary support to individuals who may be susceptible to supporting or committing terrorism to help keep our communities safe.' Like this: Like Related
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Neo-Nazi teen, 18, who plotted Columbine-style high school shooting is jailed for six years
A teenager who 'idolised' the killers behind the Columbine High School massacre and wanted to carry out a mass shooting at his own school has been locked up for six years. Felix Winter was said to be obsessed with the deadly US shooting, which resulted in the murder of 13 students and a teacher during the tragic incident in Colorado in 1999. He repeatedly spoke about doing the same at his own Edinburgh secondary school, describing the 'Doomsday' when he would 'clear it out'. But a social media photograph of Winter in full combat-gear and carrying an imitation gun while at school caused panic among pupils and parents, and caught the attention of police in the summer of 2023. Winter had already been referred to a UK-wide programme designed to stop individuals becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It emerged he had been 'radicalised' having spent more than 1,000 hours in contact with an extremist pro-Nazi Discord group. The now 18 year-old - who it was previously heard is transgender - appeared back in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow today. He pleaded guilty in February to a breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act. The crimes spanned between June 2022 and July 2023. Winter's lawyer had urged Lord Arthurson to consider a strict alternative to custody citing a number of factors including to allow him to continue getting the help he needs. But the judge ruled that out in his sentencing remarks, explaining that Winter appeared to be 'progressing to the brink of a mass school shooting'. Prosecutor Greg Farrell earlier told how on June 20, 2023, Winter had turned up at school wearing boots as well as cargo trousers and had brought with him a military tactical vest and helmet. Mr Farrell: 'He was later seen at the school carrying an imitation firearm while wearing the vest and helmet. 'A photograph was circulated on social media. It was taken and published without his knowledge. 'The image provoked a considerable degree of fear and alarm among pupils and parents. 'Police were advised by a parent who saw the image.' Officers went on to discover the boy had a TikTok account which had footage of him in black combat clothes as well as a skeleton mask. Mr Farrell: 'One piece of commentary referenced school shootings.' The teenager was immediately suspended. It emerged the vest and helmet were part of a costume for a short film he had been involved in for a drama class. He had been the 'kidnapper' and had used a 'prop gun'. Police however went on to take statements from other pupils who knew Winter. Mr Farrell: 'They provided information that the boy had exhibited a variety of alarming behaviours over a period of time. 'The greatest concern was the suggestion he had divulged to various people a desire to carry out a school shooting similar to that which had taken place in 1999 at Columbine High School in Colorado in the USA.' Classmates recalled how Winter 'spoke excitedly and with considerable enthusiasm' when he talked about Columbine and other school shootings. He 'sympathised' with the pair behind it - Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris - and would copy how they had dressed. One girl said he 'idolised school shooters in America'. Mr Farrell: 'In November 2022, he told her how he would go about carrying out a school attack. 'He explained that he would start on the second floor and that he would 'clear it out' using guns. 'He would then move downstairs continuing to shoot until police arrived, at which point he would turn the gun on himself.' Winter described a possible mass shooting at his school as 'Doomsday'. He said it would occur on April Fool's Day or his last day of school. Mr Farrell: 'He spoke about setting up trip wires at fire exits and of placing 'pipe bombs' at the school.' He was said to be so 'interested' in Columbine that he stated he wanted to change his name 'in an act of homage' to Klebold. Mr Farrell: 'One pupil told police that (Winter) wore the same black trousers, trench coat, cap worn backwards and circular glasses as favoured by one of the Columbine pair. 'He often made comments that he 'looked like a school shooter'.' Winter told another classmate that he would 'place a bomb in every second classroom'. He would then shoot people as they fled the building. The teenager further openly chatted about the making of what were described as deadly 'pressure cooker bombs'. Winter further told one girl he met online that he wanted to carry out a shooting as he was being bullied and was 'fed up' being there. His phone was described as being 'full' of photos and videos of shootings as well as others of Hitler and Nazi Germany. The boy had further claimed 'n*****s are good for nothing' and that they 'should be wiped out'. The teenager was stopped by police under the Terrorism Act as he returned from holiday with his family on July 9, 2023. A number of his electronic devices were seized. There were various files on a mobile phone, including about 'homemade' firearms and poisons. The court heard he had 65 videos of Columbine and had added music which appeared to 'glamourise' the mass killing. He had recorded another clip of him at his own school which seemed to 'mimic the actions' of the American shooters. Police also seized a journal in which the boy had made various sinister remarks. One stated: 'I can't wait to hold my gun again in my gear. Hoping I'll get a this time. Will be unstoppable.' The hearing was told Winter had previously been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme due to concerns. The first - in November 2022 - was as a result of worries raised by fellow pupils. The visit at the family home included a terrorism officer attending. It was said this initial meeting appeared to 'go well' and that the boy 'engaged' with the police. It was then decided at that time the involvement of Prevent would end. However, the boy continued to openly discuss school shootings although no further action was taken. The second referral was then made in June 2023 after the image of the boy in the combat gear at school was circulated online. A probe - sparked by the deputy head teacher - had revealed 'a catalogue of episodes' of the boy displaying 'a variety of alarming behaviour'. The court heard a more recent concern was flagged by the college where the boy now attends of him allegedly remarking that he was 'annoyed at getting caught'. Winter was 'a vulnerable young person' with mental health issues, the court additionally heard. Shelagh McCall KC, defending, said: 'I say that his actions fall outside the definition of terrorism. 'There is no evidence that the actions were for advancing such a case. The cause, in so far as there was one, was revenge for bullying.' The advocate added any racist or right wing views stemmed from his contact with the online Discord group. Miss McCall: 'I invite the court to take the view that he was groomed by the online community. 'The accused, at the time, did not understand the illegality or appreciate the fear and alarm that he was likely to cause with his behaviour. 'There was reinforcement all day, every day from the Discord community.' The KC stated Winter had since 'significantly changed'. She said an alternative to custody would allow Winter to get the help he needs now rather than have to wait until he is released. Winter was sentenced to six years in prison for terrorism offences.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Pictured: Transgender pro-Nazi who planned school shooting
A transgender teenager with pro-Nazi views who wanted to carry out a mass shooting at school has been pictured for the first time. Felix Winter, 18, 'idolised' the killers behind the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado in the United States in 1999, which saw 12 students and a teacher gunned down. A court heard Winter, a biological female who identifies as male, repeatedly spoke about doing the same at an Edinburgh secondary school, describing the 'Doomsday' when they would 'clear it out'. But a large police investigation was launched in summer 2023 after a social media photo of Winter at school in full combat gear and carrying an imitation gun caused panic among pupils and parents. The teenager also held racist and pro-Nazi views and had previously been referred to a UK-wide programme designed to stop people becoming terrorists. It emerged Winter had been 'radicalised', having spent more than 1,000 hours in online contact with an extremist pro-Nazi online Discord group. Winter pleaded guilty in February to a breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act. The teenager was back in the dock of the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment. 'Vulnerable young person' Shelagh McCall KC, defending, called for a strict alternative to custody as her client was a 'vulnerable young person' with mental health issues. But judge Lord Arthurson ruled that out and told Winter the teenager appeared to be 'progressing to the brink of a mass school shooting'. The judge said Winter 'increasingly saw yourself as a warrior', and had created 'visceral and graphic plans selecting which pupils and teachers you would kill and spare'. The court heard the teenager wrote 'the school is a virus on the earth and everyone should be looking at me as a god', and kept a journal about shooting people. Lord Arthurson said Winter was a 'vulnerable young person', and added: 'It is at least arguable you were progressing towards the brink of committing a mass school shooting and becoming radicalised. The statement of intent could not have been clearer. 'Your ideation grew in intensity; you took steps to obtain information likely to be of use to committing an act of terrorism. 'Your plans had become a degree more operationalised; you asked a witness to retain a journal and said you lied to police. In February, you expressed annoyance you had been caught.' He said only a 'substantial' custodial sentence was appropriate for the crimes, which spanned between June 2022 and July 2023. Fear and alarm among pupils Greg Farrell, prosecuting, had previously told the court how, on June 20 2023, Winter had turned up at school wearing boots as well as cargo trousers and had brought a military tactical vest and helmet. A photo was circulated on social media of Winter at school carrying an imitation firearm while wearing the vest and helmet. This caused 'a considerable degree of fear and alarm among pupils and parents.' Police were alerted and discovered Winter had a TikTok account with footage of the teenager in black combat clothes and a skeleton mask. Classmates recalled how Winter 'spoke excitedly and with considerable enthusiasm' when he talked about Columbine and other school shootings. The teenager 'sympathised' with the pair behind it – Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris – and would copy how they had dressed. In November 2022, Winter told a girl their plan for a school attack, which would start with clearing out the second floor using guns. Winter then planned to move downstairs, continuing to shoot until police arrived, at which point the teen 'would turn the gun on himself.' Mr Farrell said: 'He spoke about setting up trip wires at fire exits and of placing 'pipe bombs' at the school.' Winter told another classmate of a plan to 'place a bomb in every second classroom' then shoot people as they fled the building. Winter also told a girl online that they wanted to carry out a shooting as they were being bullied and 'fed up' with being there. Mass killings 'glamourised' The teenager's phone was described as being 'full' of photos and videos of shootings, as well as others of Hitler and Nazi Germany. The court heard Winter had 65 videos of Columbine and had added music which appeared to 'glamourise' the mass killing. The teenager had recorded another clip at school that seemed to 'mimic the actions' of the American shooters. Winter was stopped by police under the Terrorism Act as the teen returned from a family holiday on July 9, 2023. But Ms McCall said: 'I say that his actions fall outside the definition of terrorism. There is no evidence that the actions were for advancing such a case. The cause, in so far as there was one, was revenge for bullying.' She said Winter 'did not understand the illegality or appreciate the fear and alarm that he was likely to cause with his behaviour' and had since 'significantly changed'. Asst Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: 'This was an extremely complex and fast-moving investigation, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the diligence and hard work of the officers who worked tirelessly to gather the evidence and bring the perpetrator to justice.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
