St. Clair Shores man bound over on charges related to alleged plan to attack a school

Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 20-year-old Joel Edwards was bound over to stand trial on all charges related to an alleged plan to attack a school. 

On Friday, February 6, 2026, Edwards’s Preliminary Exam was held before Judge Joseph Craigen Oster in the 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores, MI. At the end of the hearing, Judge Oster ruled that sufficient evidence exists to bind Edwards over for trial on all counts. Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Lisa Lozen and Justin Pollard represented The People. 

Edwards is charged with the following:

• Schools – Intentional Threat to Commit Act of Violence Against School, School Employees or Students with Specific Intent to Carry Out or Overt Act Toward, a 10-year felony,
• Computers – Using to Commit A Crime, a 10-year felony,
• Weapons Felony Firearm, a 2-year felony consecutive to main charge.

Edwards will be arraigned before Judge Julie Gatti in the Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, MI on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. 

On Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, St. Clair Shores Police conducted a cyberthreat investigation and welfare check on Edwards. The investigation was allegedly started after the FBI contacted Michigan State Police about Tic Tok videos allegedly associated to Edwards that expressed a desire to carry out a mass shooting. The MSP contacted St. Clair Shores Police. It is alleged that weapons were found in Edwards’ possession. Additional investigation determined he allegedly planned to attack a school.

Edwards has been in custody continuously since September 13, 2025 when he was held for a mental health evaluation. He was later transferred to the Macomb County Jail where he remains held on a $5 million bond. 

“This is a deeply distressing case, and today’s bind-over reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the need to address them through the justice system. Any credible threat to our schools or public spaces must be taken with the utmost gravity, because the potential consequences are unthinkable. I urge community members to remain vigilant and to report concerning behavior or information promptly so that intervention can occur before harm is done,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People.  We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All defendants accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

###