The FBI recently arrested Elizabeth Ballesteros West, a transgender female living in Oregon previously named Francisco Frank Paramo, who the agency believes was planning to carry out a mass shooting. The story highlights issues related to extremism, mental health, and the myriad challenges law enforcement faces when trying to preempt violent acts.
An affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Damara Gonzalez provides a detailed account of the investigation that led to West’s arrest and weaves an intricate tale of a troubled individual who could have carried out a brutal atrocity if he had not been apprehended by the authorities.
The affidavit indicates that the Bureau was informed by an anonymous tipster who sent a Facebook post written by the suspect in which he expressed despair about possibly losing his job as well as other problems he was facing. In the post, he said he would…
