“He’s a hero for what he did.”
Zach Swallen said his 15-year-old son, Boom, provided a tip that helped thwart a potential mass shooting at Mariemont High School.
Police arrested a 14-year-old child on Wednesday for a “potential threat” at Mariemont High School that the district said was a “credible plot to harm students and staff.”
In an interview with WCPO 9 Thursday morning, Swallen said he couldn’t be more proud of his son. Swallen said Boom made a phone call to him Tuesday night after the 14-year-old told Boom about his alleged plan, which included a kill list.
“This swift action was definitely warranted and I’m grateful that my son reached out because if he hadn’t…” Swallen said before pausing.
RELATED | Police arrest 14-year-old for ‘credible plot to harm students and staff’ at Mariemont High School
Swallen said his son came forward despite having been threatened directly.
“The kid had the firearms and had a very elaborate plan and had every intention of carrying out that plan,” said Swallen, fighting back tears. “My son, he doesn’t lie. He’s very literal, I could tell by his tone. And it was told to my son that if he disclosed anything about the plan to anybody, he would be shot and killed. But my son literally told me he didn’t care if he got killed as long as he could protect his classmates.”