An Indiana teen whose admiration of other school shooters led her to plan her own massacre claims that her mental health has improved since the arrest.
Trinity Shockley, now 19, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to 20 years with eight years suspended, WFYI reported. Shockley was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
According to an arrest affidavit cited by NBC News, Shockley was arrested after a tip to the Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous Reporting System.
"Tipster stated that their friend has access to an AR15 and has just ordered a bulletproof vest," NBC News reported the court document states. "Tipster stated that this offender admires Nicolas Cruz."
Cruz killed 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.
At the time of the arrest in February, Shockley identified as a transgender male who went by the name "Jamie," NBC News reported.
A search of Shockley's home turned up magazines for AR-15 rifles, a box of .40 caliber bullets, and a soft vest in Shockley's father's room, the network reported.
In Shockley's bedroom, there was a collage on the wall of Dylan Roof, Nickolas Cruz, and Andrew Blaze - all three are known for mass killings, WISH reported the court documents state.
Shockley's attorney, Joseph Gaunt, said that she had endured years of mental health issues and bullying, WFYI reported. This led her to an online crime community. The attorney said that the plan was a fantasy.
"I am so sorry I put you in that position of fear," Shockley said during the sentencing, according to the station. Shockley said she had been receiving treatment for her mental health issues while in jail. "It's gotten a lot better since I've been surrounded by people that care about me."
"She knew she couldn't do it, but she kept talking about it," Gaunt said, according to WFYI. "That's what makes this case hard."
