Zachary Newell, a 26-year-old from North Carolina, received a two-year federal prison sentence for posting online threats to shoot up a preschool and kill Black children. The threats, made on YouTube in August 2025, targeted at least 20 Black preschool students and included graphic descriptions of violence. Prosecutors described the posts as racially motivated.
Zachary Newell of Newport, North Carolina, was sentenced on Wednesday to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty last November to communicating threats online. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentencing, noting Newell's YouTube comments from August 2025 where he wrote, 'I'm gonna shoot up a black pre school. Twenty black babies will be shot and then skinned like the animals they are.' He also posted, 'Can't wait to start killing,' and expressed joy at the prospect of Black people suffering pain until their last breath. Prosecutors said the threats were racially motivated, targeting Black and Hispanic children as well as minority internet users on multiple occasions. On August 31, 2025, Carteret County Sheriff's deputies contacted Newell following a CyberTip about his posts. Newell admitted to the threats, explaining he had watched extremist content on Twitter and come to believe internet conspiracy theories. He acknowledged searching city demographics but claimed academic interest and no intent to act, though he deleted his search history after release on bond. U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle stated, 'Newell threatened to become the next school shooter — at a preschool no less.' Boyle added, 'Targeting babies for murder — simply because of the color of their skin — is disgusting and unacceptable in civilized society.' The FBI responded quickly to the threats, according to officials.