The 14-year-old boy accused of stabbing two students at Countryside High School on Thursday chose them at random and intended to attack others, Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy said Friday.
“This was a lone suspect who conducted an intentional and targeted act,” he said during an afternoon news conference. “This individual idolized serial killers, domestic terrorists, hated humanity and wanted recognition for this incident.”
The Tampa Bay Times is not naming the teen.
Among the evidence collected by investigators is the suspect’s handwritten manifesto, which showed he “was intent on killing people,” Gandy said.