Hungarian teenager arrested over alleged school shooting plans in his phone

A Hungarian court has ordered the arrest of a minor suspected of planning a school shooting against classmates and a teacher after authorities uncovered evidence of radicalisation and detailed preparations on his mobile phone.

The court statement says the teenager was planning a school shooting

According to a statement from the Budapest Environs Regional Court, the case concerns alleged terrorism offences connected to organising activities in support of an extremist group. Investigators say the teenager had been following propaganda from the Islamic State for more than a year and had downloaded materials on how to manufacture explosives.

Online radicalisation and violent plans

Authorities reported that the suspect began monitoring official propaganda channels and violent videos linked to the organisation in November 2023. Over time, investigators say he became increasingly engaged with extremist content and joined online communities promoting radical ideologies.

Evidence recovered from his phone indicates that on 20 January 2025 he discussed his grievances with another person, claiming he had been humiliated by a teacher and classmates. During these conversations, he allegedly described plans of a school shooting to kill them and even carry out a suicide attack. The two also reportedly talked about targeting a restaurant. Later communications with another contact suggested the suspect intended to commit the school shooting using an assault rifle. Investigators believe he also helped another individual join an extremist online group.