Kristopher Clay

Janitor at Oregon highschool turned himself in to the police before carrying out mass shooting

By Edward Era Barbacena

The Medford Police Department says that janitor at South Medford High School had made significant steps toward carrying out a mass shooting before he sought help several weeks ago.

A janitor at an Oregon high school was prepared to gun down students at teachers at the school where he worked and made detailed plans for the shooting spree, local police said Thursday.

On July 20, 24-year-old Kristopher Clay came into the Medford Police Department lobby and requested to speak with an officer. MPD said that Clay told the officer he was having “homicidal thoughts” and had plans to follow through with them. The officer took Clay to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit.

South Medford High School

Thankfully, he turned himself in first, repentant. Kristopher Clay, the 24-year-old janitor for South Medford High School, surrendered to the Medford police department on July 20, allegedly confessing to officers he had “homicidal thoughts.” He remained in police custody until he was formally arrested Wednesday.

“We are relieved a potentially catastrophic event was prevented,” a police spokesman said Thursday. The Medford police department and the Medford school district did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast’s requests for further comment.

Following the initial interrogation and investigation into Clay, police executed search warrants at his home. There, officers found guns, ammunition, tactical gear, and “written material” that indicated “Clay made significant steps to carry out a mass casualty event,” Medford investigators said, according to local station KRDV.

A court’s previous determination of mental illness barred Clay from legally obtaining guns. He told officers he bought them via “various channels,” according to KRDV.

Police swept the school and determined there were no imminent threats to students and faculty. The school district fired Clay while he was in custody.

Clay worked as a custodian at South Medford High School at the time that he turned himself in. MPD said that police contacted officials from the Medford School District and school officials worked with School Resource Officers on a sweep of the school. The District also ensured that Clay’s employment was quickly terminated.

Clay is charged with attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, attempted unlawful use of a weapon, tampering with evidence, and felony disorderly conduct.