14-Year-Old Julian Davis Researched Mass Killers for Two Years as Authorities Found Guns and White-Supremacist Content at His Home

Julian Davis had three homemade firearms, ammunition and makeshift handcuffs in his Florida home when deputies searched the 14-year-old's bedroom in late April, according to authorities. Two homemade shotguns later fired successfully during testing, while a third weapon described as a pistol failed to fire.

What deputies uncovered extended well beyond homemade guns. As reported by News4JAX, ATF laboratory testing identified homemade black powder and mixtures containing ETN and urea nitrate, substances authorities described as secondary high explosives capable of causing serious damage.

Davis, then a student at Switzerland Point Middle School, came to authorities' attention after a FortifyFL tip involving Telegram conversations with a 13-year-old classmate. The messages allegedly described robbing someone at gunpoint and included discussions about making a shotgun and musket and obtaining zip ties.

The Telegram exchanges also contained images or information involving ammunition, pipe components and a bottle containing an unknown yellow liquid wrapped in duct tape with what appeared to be a fuse. Prosecutors charged both teenagers with conspiracy to commit robbery with a firearm, while Davis was charged as an adult with additional gun and explosives offenses.

More disturbing material emerged from Davis's bedroom. Deputies reported finding handwritten notes and diagrams involving weapons and chemical reactions, along with a tactical vest bearing what authorities called "white supremacy drawings."

Among his belongings, authorities said, was material associated with white-supremacist ideology, including a copy of the manifesto written by Brenton Tarrant, the white supremacist who murdered 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. Authorities also reported finding "The Anarchist Cookbook" and a U.S. Army improvised-munitions handbook.

Sheriff Robert Hardwick publicly laid out the allegations on Aug. 7, saying authorities saw something potentially larger than the suspected robbery. Digital forensics reaching back two years showed Davis repeatedly researching school shootings, mass stabbings and other high-profile killings, behavior Hardwick described as a fixation on people he wanted to emulate.

His attorney, Jill Barger, sharply disputes that interpretation. She said Davis never intended to hurt anyone and accused police of recklessly claiming they prevented a mass-casualty event, arguing there were no writings or threats showing the teenager contemplated such violence.

Four months in custody have become another part of Barger's argument. She said Davis has been housed alone in an empty jail pod, has become frightened and depressed and has not received the resources she believes he needs while confined by himself.

Still jailed on $240,000 bond, Davis has pleaded not guilty. His 13-year-old co-defendant spent 21 days in juvenile detention before being allowed to leave, and neither teenager will be permitted to return to schools in the district.

Despite the homemade firearms, laboratory-confirmed explosive material and white-supremacist content authorities say they recovered, school officials have drawn a firm distinction about the danger students faced. Deputy Superintendent Paul Abbatinozzi said investigators found no direct threat against Switzerland Point Middle School.