A Shelby County woman accused of planning a school shooting with a man on Instagram will remain behind bars until her federal trial.
According to a court affidavit, Katherine Grace Joiner, 21, of Wilsonville, and her alleged accomplice, Ethan Bassett, of Glen, Miss., are charged with transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce.
The FBI in Birmingham was alerted about Instagram messages between the two in May. The messages referenced school mass shootings, such as Columbine and Sandy Hook. Agents said posts and messages showed photos of mass shootings and mass shooters.
Prosecutors presented evidence at a preliminary hearing that the two contemplated carrying out a mass shooting at a school then taking their own lives.
In instant messages laid out in the affidavit, Instagram user “kissmyxm15,” who is suspected to be Joiner, communicated with “ethanb.bps,” who investigators believe is Bassett. The two discussed guns and a suicide pact, with “ethanb.bps” stating, “Why do you think I bought such a nice gun i want to go out pretty.”
When asked if there was anything she wanted to do before she died, “kissmyxm15” replied. “I don’t think so maybe get chocolate mint ice cream.”
FBI agents who spoke with Joiner said they confirmed the account was hers and that she admitted to the plan to hurt others and herself. Agents who interviewed Bassett in his Glen, Miss. home also confirmed the account was his and said he admitted to the messages.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John H England, III ruled that Joiner would be held behind bars until her trial.
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