Waylon S. Kurts, 20, of Montpelier, Washington County, Vermont, United States is a sophomore student of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. He is a member of the school’s track team.

Recently, a custodian at St. Olaf College found two empty packages for high-capacity magazines in a garbage can outside dorm rooms. The packages belonged to Kurts.

The St. Olaf College custodian tipped off the Northfield Police Department about the packages. On April 6, 2023, officers from the department was spotted Kurts driving on France Avenue in Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

With help from other agencies, the officers arrested Kurts in a retail parking lot. After the arrest, he was suspended from St. Olaf College.

Kurts was allegedly planning to carry out a mass casualty event at St. Olaf College. Fireworks, firearm earmuffs, six propane canisters, lighter fluid, a tactical vest, a tactical knife, a folding knife, a lock pick set , a battery with wires and empty boxes for ammunition and magazines were confiscated from his dorm room.

In Kurts’ car, investigators found a notebook with detailed notes on the subject of combat with guns. Text messages were also sent from his phone to an alleged co-conspirator, which included conversations about radio frequencies, rifles and ways to ship items to avoid raising suspicions at St. Olaf College. 

On April 10, 2023, Kurts appeared in Rice County District Court in Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota. He was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree assault and conspiracy to commit threats of violence, making terroristic threats and planning a theft.

On April 21, 2023, Kurts will be back in court. He is being held at the Rice County Jail in Faribault and his bond was set at $100,000.