Kristopher Clay is being held in the Jackson County Jail on a $ 2 million bonds following his initial court hearing Thursday. The charges also include attempted first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence, according to a Medford Police Department news release.
CNN’s attempts to contact Clay have been unsuccessful. It is not clear if he has a lawyer. Clay arrived at the lobby of the MPD police station on July 20 and told an officer that he had murderous thoughts with plans to carry them out, according to the press release.
Kristopher Clay Age
Kristopher Clay is 24 years old.
Kristopher Clay school custodian accused of planning ‘mass casualty event
The Medford Police Department says a now-former South Medford High School custodian had taken significant steps to carry out a mass shooting before seeking help several weeks ago.
On July 20, 24-year-old Kristopher Clay walked into the lobby of the Medford Police Department and asked to speak to an officer. The MPD said Clay told the officer that he was having “murderous thoughts” and that he had plans to follow them. The officer took Clay to the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit.
MPD launched an investigation into Clay, leading to a series of searches that spanned at least three locations in Jackson County, including Clay’s residence in the 700 block of W McAndrews in Medford. Investigators found ammunition, rifles, weapons parts, tactical equipment, and “written material.” Lt. Mike Budreau said the recovered evidence included manifests, maps and a journal that Clay allegedly tampered with while in the hospital.
Clay was working as a janitor at South Medford High School at the time he turned himself in. MPD said police contacted Medford School District officials and school officials worked with School Resource Officers on a sweep of the school. The District also ensured that Clay’s employment was terminated quickly.
On Wednesday, police detained Clay at Asante Rogue Regional just before he was discharged from the mental health unit. Medford police charged him with multiple counts: attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, two counts of illegal use of a weapon, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence.
“It should be noted that Clay was in protective custody until the time he was arrested,” MPD said. “The Medford Police Department wishes to thank the many agencies involved in this case, and we are relieved that a potentially catastrophic event has been averted.” According to police, Clay had marked several potential shooting sites, including South Medford High School. However, Clay had reportedly not identified any specific individual as a target, and Lt. Budreau said Clay had chosen “areas, not people.”
Although Clay eventually made it to the police station and told the officer about his alleged homicidal impulses, Lt. Budreau stressed that the investigation had produced significant evidence of the custodian’s planning, including a possible date for the attacks.
“Everything was culminating to the point where the only next step would be a mass shooting,” Budreau said.
Clay had no prior criminal convictions but was barred from possessing firearms due to a judicial determination of mental illness under Oregon law, which Budreau said occurred in 2019. Police said he obtained the weapons through “various channels. “, ordering parts online and obtaining intact weapons from people he knew.
The Medford School District hired Clay in February of this year, according to spokeswoman Natalie Hurd. MSD conducted the usual background and referral checks they do for District employees, Hurd said, but there were no red flags during Clay’s hiring process. The court’s determination was not a criminal case and did not appear on the background check.
Budreau said Medford police officers had an interaction with Clay in 2019 when he was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. Although he was arrested, he was not prosecuted on the charge and does not appear on his criminal record. Regardless, Clay’s state of mind was not entirely dark. Budreau said police have interviewed several people who heard statements about Clay but did not take the threats seriously and did not report them to authorities.
“When we asked them why they didn’t contact us or do nothing about it, they got the impression that it wasn’t something serious, that I was just being silly or … there was no real threat,” Budreau said. “I’d just like to remind people that whenever you hear about mass or school shootings or anything that should be a cause for concern, don’t discount it: report it, let’s investigate and see if it has any veracity, because what we saw, in this case, it was yes “.
While Budreau said it’s common for people to reveal to Medford police that they want to hurt themselves, he reflected that the circumstances, in this case, are “very unusual,” considering how Clay turned himself into protective custody in the context of a scheme. supposedly detailed. by violence.
“Sometimes people indicate that they are a danger to others, but never to this point, and never to this … By being planned, with so many specific details, and so many steps towards that,” Budreau said. Clay appeared in court via video for his arraignment on Thursday. For the attempted murder charge, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 375,000.
When asked for his opening statement, Clay told the judge that he wanted to plead guilty to all charges. Judge Cromwell advised that he speak with an attorney before pleading guilty. These are extremely serious charges that are mandatory imprisonment,” said Judge Cromwell. “So I have a little concern, based on the preliminary information I have received, that I would be concerned if he did it today. If you want to at least speak to a lawyer to discuss his rights …”. . It doesn’t mean that he can’t plead guilty. ”
“Yes, his honor,” Clay replied. “… I would like to speak to a lawyer.”
The judge referred Clay to the public defender’s office to represent him. Prosecutors requested that Clay’s bail be set at $ 2 million, which was approved by Judge Cromwell. If Clay posted bail, he would be released on supervised release with relatively strict requirements, including GPS monitoring. Budreau said there is still an ongoing investigation into the case, and some details that investigators have collected so far are being withheld as the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office continues its case against Clay