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A teenager fixated on murder, who expressed intentions of carrying out a mass shooting at an Edinburgh school, has been sentenced to six years in jail. Felix Winter, now 18, was revealed to have “idolised” the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the US. The court disclosed that the student frequently discussed orchestrating a similar catastrophic “Doomsday” assault that resulted in the deaths of 12 students and a teacher in Colorado. Additionally, Winter espoused racist and pro-Nazi beliefs, conceding to two charges during a February hearing.
Held at the High Court in Glasgow, Winter’s infractions – a breach of the peace and an offense under the Terrorism Act – were found to have occurred when he was between the ages of 15 and 16, from June 2022 to July 2023. Although his defense lawyer, Shelagh McCall KC, advocated for a stringent non-custodial sentence, emphasizing Winter’s susceptibility due to mental health afflictions, the court was informed that he had become “radicalised” through prolonged interactions with a pro-Nazi Discord group online. In his ruling, Lord Arthurson underscored Winter’s extensive engagement with the extremist group, amounting to two hours daily over two years. The judge also highlighted Winter’s discussions with classmates regarding his meticulously violent plan to execute a massacre.
Police Scotland initiated an inquiry in the summer of 2023 following a social media post depicting Winter at school wearing combat attire and brandishing an imitation firearm, prompting fear among pupils and parents. Authorities later determined that Winter had conversed with fellow students about executing a school attack, displaying unsettling behaviors over a 13-month period. Testimonies from peers indicated that Winter exhibited a heightened enthusiasm when conversing about Columbine and other school shootings, harboring admiration for the assailants, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Additional revelations unveiled Winter’s intention to rename himself in homage to Klebold, a profound fascination with the Columbine incident, and preparations to produce firearms using a 3D printer.
Winter’s defense counsel included considerations of his vulnerability and transgender identity during the sentencing phase. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston commended the thoroughness and dedication of the investigative team in swiftly amassing evidence for the case. He stressed the critical role of the Prevent program in fostering early intervention through tailored support, underscoring the necessity of collaborative efforts in addressing potential threats. City of Edinburgh Council’s education convener, James Dalgleish, reassured the public of the robust safeguarding measures in place, emphasizing the gravity with which incidents involving violence are regarded in safeguarding the well-being of pupils and staff
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