Trinity Morley: Teen charged after lurking outside ex’s home with gun and knife, journal entry reveals plan

A Washington State teenager is facing serious charges after police say she left behind a disturbing journal entry about a planned shooting, then was captured on security footage with a gun outside her ex-boyfriend’s home in what prosecutors are calling a near-tragic attack.

Trinity Morley, 19, has been charged with attempted murder, criminal attempt and two counts of weapons-related offences in connection with the July 27 incident in Maple Valley, Washington, the King County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The alarming chain of events began when Morley’s parents found a journal entry in which she allegedly detailed her plan to target her ex-boyfriend with a shotgun.

They immediately contacted the police, fearing for the safety of their daughter and others.

“I have the gun now, three rounds of buckshot. The shotgun is heavy. He told me that If I don’t hold it right, my arm will get blown off. I have three chances to get this right and I don’t want to resort to knives,” she wrote, according to prosecutors.

The revelation prompted a rapid law enforcement response, with Maple Valley police and sheriff’s deputies racing to locate Morley. Officers also conducted a welfare check on the home of her former boyfriend, who has not been publicly identified, People reported.

He was not home at the time, but his father later told police the family was terrified after spotting a hooded figure on their Ring security camera staring directly into the lens.

The father told officers the sight of the masked intruder prompted the family to hide inside the house, fearing for their lives.

In security footage released by investigators, a hooded figure — whom police allege is Morley — can be seen lingering outside the home, looking into the camera before moving toward the entrance. Prosecutors say she attempted to get inside the residence with a weapon before ultimately fleeing.

Deputies quickly flooded the area and located Morley nearby. She was found carrying both a shotgun and a knife, police said, and was taken into custody without further incident.

Body-worn camera footage later showed the teen appearing calm and detached during the arrest.

Prosecutors described her demeanour as “eerie” and claimed she even made light of the situation, telling an officer taking notes: “It’s a good story.”

Authorities say the case highlights how quickly a potential tragedy can unfold and how the parents’ decision to come forward may have prevented a deadly shooting.

“She was located in possession of a knife and a gun and was arrested,” the sheriff’s office confirmed in its statement, praising the rapid coordination between deputies and local police.

Morley was arraigned on August 12, according to online court records. She has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors have not disclosed a potential motive beyond the contents of her journal, but the King County Sheriff’s Office said the incident remains under investigation.

Neighbours have expressed shock at the allegations, with one resident telling local reporters the situation was “terrifying” for a typically quiet community.

“It could have ended so much worse,” they said. “Everyone’s just grateful nobody was hurt.”