A truck driver has been arrested after saying he would commit a mass shooting at a church in Memphis, Tenn., authorities say in newly filed court records.
Thomas Matthew McVicker was apprehended in Indianapolis before the plan could be carried out, according to court papers filed Monday. Its the most recent case in a string of men being arrested around the country for threatening to carry out shootings.
McVicker, 38, made credible threats to conduct a mass shooting and suicide planned for Thursday, an FBI special agent said in a sworn affidavit.
The circumstances of his arrest in Indiana werent outlined in the affidavit.
Earlier this month, a friend of McVicker in the southern Alabama town of Fairhope told a Florida FBI agent McVicker has been considering shooting a church up or killing people on the street.
Later, in a telephone call, the friend said McVicker told her the church shooting would happen when he was in Memphis on Thursday and that he intended to take his knife and slit the pastors throat.
His mother told the FBI he owned a Ruger P90 handgun and sometimes uses cocaine and methamphetamine. She also said her son is being treated for schizophrenia.
The FBI says it confirmed with McVickers employer that he requested leave time Thursday and that he indicated in the request that he would spend the leave time in Memphis, the affidavit states.
The affidavit doesnt specify a motive or a specific Memphis church.
McVickers friend did not learn of an exact location from the phone call. However, McVicker insisted that something would happen when he was in Memphis, the affidavit states.
Court records list McVickers address as Punta Gorda, Florida, but his Alabama friend told the FBI that McVicker lives in his semi. The records dont list a lawyer who could be reached for comment on McVickers behalf.
