Officials have reported the arrest of a second teen in an alleged plot to conduct a mass shooting at Morristown Junior-Senior High School in Indiana. The latest to be taken into custody is 17-year-old Melanie Little of Corinth, Mississippi, who is facing charges related to conspiracy to commit murder, according to WISH-TV. Little's co-conspirator, 17-year-old Alexis Pickett from Rush County, was charged earlier in January with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and intimidation.
The pair had devised their plans using instant messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord, as noted in court documents. Little, who used the online alias "Nathan," had discussed traveling to Indiana under the pretense of attending Pickett's graduation to carry out the attack scheduled for May 25. WRTV shared that the two teens also spoke about using guns and homemade explosives in the assault. Despite being charged as adults, the legal system views both Little and Pickett as too young to legally own the firearms they discussed acquiring.
The Shelby County Prosecutor's Office confirmed Little has been ordered to be held without bond after declining to waive extradition to Indiana. The prosecution is working on having her extradited to face the charges. According to FOX59, Little and Pickett had envisioned their attack to be "bigger and more successful than Columbine," a chilling reference to the 1999 Columbine high school massacre. Pickett even recorded the school's interior, allegedly sending these videos to Little to aid in planning.
Authorities learned of the plot after Pickett was arrested in early January. Investigators later identified Little as a second suspect. Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen told FOX59 the two discussed getting guns, with Little allegedly referencing her stepfather’s weapon collection and Pickett saying she could access her father’s magnum revolver.
As the case develops, a trial is scheduled for Pickett on April 20, while Little remains in custody awaiting extradition proceedings. The community of Morristown and the nation at large continue to grapple with the harrowing implications of this foiled plot, as law enforcement seeks to prevent any future tragedies of similar nature.
