Grandmother foils plot of would-be school shooter who chose his target with the flip of a coin

A would-be shooter in Washington state was reportedly basing his decision over where to carry out a mass shooting on the flip of a coin.

But 18-year-old Joshua Alexander O’Connor's alleged plot was foiled by his grandmother.

He said in his journal that he was choosing whether to target Kamiak High School or ACES, the alternative high school he transferred to last October, local newspaper The Herald reported. ACES reportedly “won” the toss.

“I’m preparing myself for the school shooting,” he reportedly wrote. “I can’t wait. My aim has gotten much more accurate … I can’t wait to walk into that class and blow all those f***ers away.”

Mr O’Connor also reportedly wrote that he needed “to make this count”, allegedly saying, “I need to make this shooting/bombing at Kamiak infamous. I need to get the biggest fatality number I possibly can”, according to the Washington Post.

“I’ve been reviewing many mass shootings/bombings (and attempted bombings) I’m learning from past shooters/bombers mistakes,” he reportedly said.

But his scheme never came to fruition.

Mr O'Connor was arrested last week after police said his grandmother found his journal and called 911 to report “credible threats” by her grandson to shoot students at ACES in Everett, Washington. The events transpired just a day before 17 people were killed and others were injured in a school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

“This is a case where the adage ‘see something, say something’ potentially saved many lives,” Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman said in a statement. “It is critically important for community members, to include students and parents, to remain observant and immediately report odd or suspicious behaviours with our children or with fellow students.”

He continued: “We were fortunate that a family member believed there were credible threats and contacted law enforcement for further investigation. I’m sure the decision was difficult to make, but fortunately, it was the correct one.”

The matter is still being investigated, but Mr Templeman emphasised that there are no known threats to any area schools at this time.

Mr O’Connor is being charged with attempted murder. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney in the case.

Bail has been set at $5m, police said.