The FBI thwarted an improvised explosive attack and a potential mass shooting that was intended to take place at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso last month.

A teenager, whose name will not be released due to an effort to limit public disclosure of a minor, was arrested May 22 by Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies after his plans to set off an explosive at a shopping mall in Washington and shoot people as they fled the movie theater there were reported to the FBI on May 19, law enforcement leaders said Thursday.

The mall is approximately 50 miles north of Portland off I-5.

“This plot was as serious as it gets,” FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson stated . “We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”

The teenage

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