14-Year-Old Lucas Jensen Released After Alleged Kelso Mall Attack Plot Fails to Yield Attempted Murder Charges
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) – Lucas Jensen, the 14-year-old boy accused of plotting a mass shooting and bombing at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, has been released from custody, his attorney confirmed Monday. The decision comes after state prosecutors were unable to present sufficient evidence to support attempted murder charges.
“My client is being released because the state was unable to prove an attempted murder ever occurred. That is not due to the state’s attorneys being incapable; it is because the facts fail to show that a fourteen-year-old ever actually attempted to harm someone. Lucas was never a danger to our community and we are no less safe now that he’s been released. A child is no longer in jail and can now be with his family and get the mental health care he needs. That should inspire our support. I hope it does.”
Investigation Origin and FBI Involvement
The investigation into Lucas Jensen began on May 19, when the FBI received a tip about a disturbing plan to carry out a mass attack at the Three Rivers Mall. The tip originated from an undercover employee embedded in a group chat known as “gore group 764” on the Signal app, a private messaging platform.
During a court hearing in Columbia County, an FBI agent testified that Lucas allegedly made threatening statements about carrying out violence at the mall, prompting immediate intervention by federal and local authorities.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the court determined that the evidence did not demonstrate a concrete attempt to carry out the act—thus failing to meet the threshold required for an attempted murder charge.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
News of Lucas Jensen’s release has drawn mixed reactions across Columbia County and neighboring communities. Some residents have expressed concern about safety and accountability, while others have acknowledged the court’s emphasis on legal standards and the need for mental health treatment.
Lucas’s attorney urged the public to recognize the difference between idle online threats and actionable danger, emphasizing that Lucas now has a chance to recover and receive the help he needs.
Path Forward
Lucas Jensen is now back with his family and, according to his defense team, is beginning mental health treatment. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed in the future, but the FBI continues to monitor activity within the online community where the alleged threats originated.
Authorities say the “gore group 764” remains under scrutiny, and investigations into potential threats from similar online groups continue nationwide.
A Larger Discussion on Youth and Online Behavior
The case of Lucas Jensen underscores the growing challenge of juvenile involvement in online extremist spaces, and the importance of addressing mental health and digital awareness early. Legal experts caution that while law enforcement must take threats seriously, courts must also weigh intent, capability, and context—especially when dealing with minors.