Teen arrested after alleged murder threat against Gainesville church found in notebook

A teenaged girl has been charged with criminal attempt to commit murder after a threat against a local church was reportedly found in a notebook.
 
According to Gainesville Police, the Gainesville City School System and the agency collaborated after other students confided in counselors regarding a threat in a student's notebook with detailed plans to commit murder at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal in Gainesville.
 
School administration was able to verify the threat and immediately turned the investigation over the Gainesville Police. The 16 year old was arrested after her parents were notified.
 
Police confirmed in a press release that their investigation showed the church was targeted based on the racial demographics of the church members. The teen was identified by police as being a white female.
 
The church was immediately notified by police out of precaution and to alert them the situation was under control, police said.
 
“This is an active investigation and a prime example of how strong relationships between the student body, school administration, and law enforcement can intercept a potentially horrific incident," said Chief Jay Parrish in a press release.
 
The juvenile was taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville, charged with criminal attempt to commit murder.