MARIEMONT, Ohio — The teen whose call to his father alerted law enforcement of a "credible" mass shooting plot at Mariemont High School is attending the State of the Union Address in D.C.
Congressman Greg Landsman announced Wednesday that 15-year-old Boom Swallen is joining him as his guest when President Joe Biden gives the State of the Union address on March 7.
"I was just very honored to be able to see the president and the congressman, and see the State of the Union," Swallen said.
According to Swallen's father, his teenage son reached out to him to disclose that a 14-year-old student at Mariemont High School told him they were planning to carry out a mass shooting.
“It took an enormous amount of courage," Landsman said. "It prevented potentially something very terrible from happening."
Swallen was nervous and excited when he found Landsman wanted him at the address. He hopes to share his story with the president.
"I hope that my story just helps people to know that when they hear something, they have to say something — especially when it’s something as serious as a school shooting," Swallen said.
Landsman said Swallens' story needs to be heard across the country.
"It’s just another conversation we’re going to have with our kids like, 'Hey, you know Boom did this. It made a big difference we want you to be just like him,'" Landsman said.
Swallen's father called police, who said their investigation ultimately revealed the 14-year-old student had been texting an out-of-state adult about a kill list and a plan to access a gun in the student's home.
His father, and others, have called Swallen a hero.
Mariemont City Schools Superintendent Steven Estepp acknowledged Swallen and his son, and the impact they've had on the district as a result of coming forward.
"I'm just incredibly thankful that we are able to say today that this plot was thwarted and that a very serious tragedy was avoided because of the proactive measures that this student and this student's parents took to report their concern to our local police department," Estepp said. "And I can't say thank you enough to our local police department, to the response of the FBI, the response of the prosecutor's office to act so swiftly so that we are where we are today and not dealing with a very tragic situation."
The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to ending violence in America's schools, also announced that Swallen will receive a National Student Hero Award for his efforts.
The student accused of making the threat was arrested and faces charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder; prosecutors have said they hope to bring his case over to adult court, which means if convicted, the teen could face life in prison.
According to Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers, the teen had a hit list naming at least eight students and one teacher.
Powers showed multiple text exchanges between the 14-year-old and an out-of-state adult using a Colorado Springs, Colorado area code. Powers said the adult is between 22-24 years old.
Powers said the two talked about the people the student wanted to kill and rape, and they mentioned the possibility of using gas in an exchange from January.
Body camera footage from law enforcement's initial interactions with the teen — before his arrest — show that teen indicated to police another student at the school was actually the source of the shooting threat.
WCPO 9 asked the prosecutor's office if the other student mentioned in the body camera conversation was ever questioned or considered a person of interest. They wouldn't comment but did say that the other student is not currently facing any charges.
RELATED:
- Prosecutor: 14-year-old had hit list of Mariemont HS students, teachers; conspired with out-of-state adult
- 'He's a hero' | Son revealed mass shooting plot at Mariemont HS, despite threat to his life, father says
- 'He would kill me as fast as possible': Teen speaks out after tipping police off to Mariemont HS shooting plot
- Body cam: Police let suspect in school shooting threat go to school after initial interview with him and dad
