Copan Man Arrested For Threatening Mass Shooting At School

Deputies arrested a man Monday for threatening to commit a mass shooting at Copan Public Schools this week.

Washington County Sheriff Rick Silver said Kyle Benefiel, 23, admitted to sending an email to the City Of Bartlesville's website threatening to shoot everyone at Copan Schools on Tuesday, November 24 at 9 a.m.

In the email, Benefiel said his threat was not a joke, adding he did not want to go to jail. He also stated in the email he was lonely, didn't have a girlfriend and would commit suicide with a relative's shotgun after the mass shooting.

Silver said deputies went to Kyle's home in Copan where he confirmed he had sent the email, then rushed a deputy. Deputies arrested him after a struggle, Silver said.

They booked Kyle Benefiel into the Washington County jail. Silver says a judge is scheduled to set bond during a court appearance Tuesday.

The sheriff said Copan Public School officials were notified but said Copan schools are not in session this week due to the holiday.

Benefiel has been charged with one felony count of plan/conspire/endeavor to perform an act of violence. Records show he's being held on a $250,000 bond.

He's due back in court in December.