Accused Ocala School Shooter on FBI’s Radar Since 2013
The alleged gunman posted comments on YouTube videos of the Columbine mass shooting, saying he had been planning a similar attack at his school for months.
The accused gunman carried out the shooting on the nineteenth anniversary of the Columbine school shooting.
The suspected gunman in a shooting at an Ocala, Fla., high school that injured one student has been on the FBI’s radar for almost five years.
Documents obtained by Fox 35 show Sky Bouche, now 19, became known to the FBI when he posted comments on YouTube video coverage of the Columbine mass shooting in October 2013.
Both the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Ocala Police Department were alerted by the FBI when Bouche made “numerous inflamed derogatory comments.” One comment read, “I’m thinking about doing my school the same way, I have enough guns and ammo. I have been planning for months, but not sure when to do it.”
Bouche was a former student at Forest High School where he opened fire on April 20, the nineteenth anniversary of the Columbine shooting.
A 17-year-old male student was taken to a local hospital to be treated for an ankle injury caused by shrapnel after Bouche fired a shotgun into a classroom door. After firing, Bouche put down his weapon and surrendered to one of his former teachers.
“His hands were up and he said he wanted to be arrested,” recalled teacher Kelly McManis-Panasuk, who also says Bouche told her he is mentally ill.
Bouche later said he didn’t want to hurt anyone and wanted to be “put away where I can’t hurt anybody.”
Back in 2013, Bouche told investigators he posted the comments to get attention because he felt hopeless and suicidal.
Police searched Bouche’s home and found an airsoft gun and a BB gun that were fashioned to look like real firearms.
No criminal charges were filed against Bouche but school officials referred him to a guidance counselor and a suicidal and violence risk assessment, according to WFTV.
Following his arrest last week, Bouche said he wanted to join the Marine Corps to get away from the chaos around him but that he was unable to as he was held under the state’s Baker Act when he was 14.
Bouche is being held on no bond at the Marion County Jail on charges of terrorism, aggravated assault with a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm. A second hearing is scheduled for May 22.
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About the Author
Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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Hey Amy, i’m sorry but Columbine High School shooting took place in 1999 not 2013.
Hi J. Larry,
The gunman began posting comments on Columbine YouTube videos in 2013. I apologize if that sentence was unclear.
Yet another case of the failure of authorities to heed warnings about potential shooters. Time to start accusing school administrators, and LE Agencies, including the FBI, with dereliction of duty, on both a agency and individual level when they fumble these warning signs.