COLUMBIA, Tenn. – The Columbia teenager accused of posting a threat to go on a "rampage" similar to the Connecticut school shootings has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
The charges against 19-year-old Shawn Lenz will now go to a grand jury once a mental evaluation is completed.
On Monday, a judge appointed a public defender during his brief arraignment.
Over the weekend, Lenz allegedly wrote on Facebook that he felt "like goin[sic] on a rampage, kinda like the school shooting were [sic] that one guy killed some teachers and a bunch of students :D."
Shortly after, deputies received calls from people as far away as Georgia saying they saw the post and were concerned. Police searched his home in Columbia and found a machete, rifle and ammo.
The arrest report noted that, when asked why he posted the comment, Lenz replied, "It was stupid."
Lenz was charged with violation of the act of terrorism law, harassment, and having drug paraphernalia.
Authorities arrested him Sunday and he was held in the Maury County Jail in lieu of $760,000 bond.
Past Story:
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
