A Florida woman was arrested for allegedly crafting dozens of pipe bombs with plans to use them.
Michelle Kolts, 27, was charged with 24 felony counts of making a destructive device with intent to harm. Her parents called police after they stumbled upon the cache of not only bombs, but also more than 20 different knives, hatchets, nunchucks, multiple BB guns, and dozens of DVDs and books related to mass murder and terrorism.
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Kolts was “consumed with the Columbine killings” and other mass slayings.
“It was just astonishing,” said Chronister during a Friday press conference. “She could have caused catastrophic damage and harm to hundreds, and even thousands, of people right here in our Tampa Bay community.”
Kolts’ parents told police that she might be on the autism spectrum. Authorities said she doesn’t currently appear to be a threat to herself or others. Chronister said he didn’t want to “demonize” someone with mental health issues but encouraged others to report anything they see that is suspicious.
“You can appreciate the fact these parents had the courage to call us,” he said. Chronister added that it would have taken less than 60 seconds to add the components to set the bombs off.
The sheriff’s office said that there is an ongoing investigation into the matter with both the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisting.
Kolts is being held on $180,000 bond.
The HCSO bomb team was called and searched the home finding 24 pipe bombs, smokeless pistol powder, a fuse, 23 different knives, two hatchets, knumchuks, dozens of books and dvds about murder, bomb making ammunition among other things. #hcsopipebombarrest pic.twitter.com/YmOMA9Y7qW
— HCSO #teamhcso (@HCSOSheriff) October 4, 2019
