Teen who wanted to carry out 'Doomsday' mass shooting at Edinburgh school jailed

An Edinburgh teenager who wanted to carry out a mass shooting at his own school has been jailed for six years.

Felix Winter, now aged 18, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

He repeatedly spoke about carrying out an attack at his secondary school, referring to the day he would “clear it out” as “Doomsday”.

Jurors previously heard the teenager “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.

The court heard Winter kept notes about the manufacture of cyanide and handguns, and “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.

A major police investigation began in the summer of 2023 after a photo circulated on social media showing the boy at school in full combat gear, carrying an imitation gun, which caused panic among pupils and parents.

Winter had already been referred to a UK-wide anti-terrorism programme aimed at preventing radicalisation.

He also held racist and pro-Nazi views.

Winter pled guilty to a breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act. His offending took place between June 2022 and July 2023.

Defence KC Shelach McCall told the court in March that a professor who assessed her client found a “serious link” between his autism and his behaviour, arguing it was his condition – rather than extremism – that drove his obsession with school shootings.

Ms McCall said the boy had made a “marked improvement” since his offending.

Winter’s lawyer had urged Lord Arthurson to consider a strict alternative to custody, citing a number of factors, including allowing him to get the help he continues to need.

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”.

Lord Arthurson said it appeared Winter had been in contact with an extremist online group for two hours a day for two years.

The judge said Winter had also discussed with fellow pupils his “visceral, violent and graphically detailed plan” to carry out a massacre.

He added that, in January 2023, Winter had described in a journal that his school was a “virus upon this earth” adding: “Everyone should look at me as if I am a God because I f***ing am and I will prove that f***ing soon.”

He had also saw himself as a “warrior”.

Lord Arthurson: “The whole material available to me indicate that you were progressing towards the brink of perpetrating a mass school shooting, you were radicalised and your statement of intent could not clearer.”

In November 2022, Winter was referred to the UK’s Prevent counter-terrorism programme for the firs time after classmates raise concerns about his disturbing behaviour and comments about school shootings

During a home visit, which included a counter-terror officer, Winter engaged with authorities and the case was closed with no further action taken.

But Winter continued to exhibit alarming behaviour, including idolising school shooters, discussing attack plans, and sharing racist and extremist content online.

On June 20, 2023, Winter arrives at school wearing tactical gear and carrying an imitation firearm. A photo of him is taken and shared on social media, causing widespread fear. A second Prevent referral is made after the photo circulates. A school investigation uncovers a pattern of disturbing behaviour and threats.

“The greatest concern was 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,” the prosecution said.

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”.

On July 9, 2023, Winter is stopped by police under the Terrorism Act upon returning from a family holiday. His electronic devices are seized.

Police discover extensive extremist content on Winter’s devices, including videos glorifying Columbine, bomb-making instructions, and racist material.

A journal is found containing violent fantasies and references to planned attacks, including a desire to carry out a “Doomsday” event at school.

“I can’t wait to hold my gun again in my gear,” one entry read.

“Hoping I’ll get a bomb… kills this time. Will be unstoppable.”

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.”