DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A 19-year-old Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student accused of planning a mass shooting at the school on the last day before winter break appeared before a judge on Friday afternoon.

John Hagins, 19, faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder. He did not speak in his appearance Friday, and another hearing is planned for next week.

Hagins is currently being held without bond at the Volusia County Jail.

According to a police report released by the Daytona Beach Police Department on Friday morning, officers learned from a friend of Hagins on Thursday that he was accused of sexual assaulting a female at a party last year. During that investigation, his grades began to slip and he suddenly stopped flying, the friend told police. 

An acquaintance told investigators Hagins recently said that he sold his truck, which he seemed to have ambitions about fixing up. The money from that vehicle sale was used to purchase a black Kel-Tech gun on Facebook Marketplace, according to the police report. Hagins was also in possession of 800 rounds of ammunition, police said.

While being questioned by detectives, Hagins admitted that he used the money from the recently sold truck, and money from a  refund from the school, to purchase the firearm, which he traveled to Dunnellon to buy.

He also confirmed that he made statements in person and in Snapchap Messenger to his former roommate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University about "shooting up" the school and made references to the mass shooting at Columbine High School. 

Police said on Thursday, Hagins’ classmates reported concerning pictures on Snapchat, including one with a gun, saying he was quote “finished with his school shopping.”

At 4:10 a.m., on Thursday, the two students contacted a campus safety officer, who then called police. 

Daytona Beach Police Department Chief Jakari Young said the credit to stopping the possible shooting goes to the two students who went to the authorities. He said that many times when a mass shooting happens, someone knows something but fails to act.

"By the grace of God, they came forward and prevented Embry Riddle Aeronautical University from being the next national media story with regards to a mass shooting," Young said during a press conference about Hagins' intent was there.

Later in the morning, officers responded to Hagins' residence in Andros Isles apartments, located in the 100 block of Acklins Circle in Daytona Beach, where he was taken into custody. 

In his apartment, investigators reported finding the gun, ammunition and Hagins' backpack.

Hagins advised that he was going to purchase a silencer for the gun so that he would be able to shoot inside of the school library.

"And he has already confessed to making these statements. He has confessed to it," Young said. "He may want to claim it was all a joke and he wasn't serious about it. We don't find anything funny about discussing a mass shooting on a campus."

"In actuality, he referenced Columbine," Young said later. "He said once he was done at that firing range he was going to campus to enact a Columbine (shooting)."

The 1999 Columbine High School shooting left 15 dead and 24 injured that was done by two students.

Thursday was the last day before winter break and the campus would be packed with students taking their finals, Young said.

"He wanted to create another Columbine. He referenced Columbine. You know, we had several mass shootings throughout the years in our country, but he specifically referenced Columbine," Young stressed.

John Hagins' mugshot from the Volusia County Jail.

On the Embry-Riddle campus Friday, a group counseling session was held for people in the campus community who needed help processing Thursday's events.

According to a local mental health expert, people who face a potential threat can face a variety of emotions and talking through it helps.

“It's OK if you’re having a reaction," according to Nicole Sharbono, vice president of SMA Healthcare in Volusia County. "That would be normal to have some type of anxiety or fear, or emotional response to a situation like this.”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be common after a potential threat, especially in a place people consider safe, Sharbono said.

Talking about the incident with peers, family or and a professional to help cope is beneficial, Sharbono said.