Man detained after planning mass killing at local school

Friday 23 August 2024

A 27-year-old man has been detained in a secure facility after pleading guilty to planning a mass killing at a local school using a home-made flamethrower and axe.

Daniel Michael McMillan was today sentenced to a treatment order under the Mental Health Law after he pleaded guilty to having committed terrorism offences, possessing indecent images of children, and unlawful sexual intercourse.

McMillan was arrested in January 2023 when police received information that he was planning to conduct an attack at Les Quennevais School.

An investigation commenced, and it was established that McMillan was in the advanced planning and preparation stages of this attack.

McMillan was charged and remanded in custody whilst police enquiries continued.

Today, the Royal Court heard that McMillan’s planned attack focused on carrying out a mass killing at the school using a home-made flamethrower and axe – with clothing and accessories designed to obscure his identity.

When police first visited McMillan, they located items which could be used to build a home-made flamethrower in his bedroom – including a pressure washer, butane and propane gas cannisters, rope, liquid containers and piping.

An axe was also found in his home.

Further investigation revealed that McMillan visited Les Quennevais School in December 2022, and took reconnaissance photographs of the site on his mobile phone.

Digital forensics showed extensive internet-based research conducted by McMillan as part of his efforts to further his plan, and a personal manifesto were also located.

Internet-based research conducted by the 27-year-old included matters surrounding his flamethrower construction, explosives, chemical compounds, other terrorist threat actions, and law enforcement evasion.

During the investigation, indecent images of children were also located on McMillan’s devices.

Of the images assessed, 163 were prohibited images and eight were indecent images, of which four were Category B, and four were Category C.

Detective Inspector Paul Ryan said: “Terrorism offences are extremely rare in Jersey. The revelation of McMillan’s plans, early intervention and subsequent conviction were made possible by the joint work between multiple agencies.

“We know that details from this case may be particularly alarming but want to reassure the community that reports of criminality of this nature are robustly assessed and investigated.

“As soon as these offences came to light, McMillan was arrested and remanded in custody whilst the investigation was conducted.”

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to say that it is not police action alone that ultimately defeats terrorism, but the combined actions of all islanders.

“We continue to rely on the help and support from our residents and business community to improve the flow of information.

“If you have any information about activity or behaviour that doesn’t feel right, please report it.

“We are committed to working closely with partners and agencies in Jersey to protect and keep our community safe.”

Since his arrest, McMillan has remained in police custody and has been assessed at a secure facility in the UK.

Today's sentence means that McMillan will be detained for treatment for an indefinite period of time, and will be subject to an ongoing review process before any release into the community.

The restrictions allow for him to be recalled to a secure facility if necessary.

McMillan was today also issued a 10-year restraining order, which prevents him from entering school and nursery premises in Jersey. He was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years.

In addition, the Court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the items seized that relate to the offences.