A former police officer from North Carolina is in custody after authorities say he planned a mass shooting at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
A North Carolina man was arrested in Florida this week for allegedly planning a mass shooting at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Christopher Gillum, 36, of Chapel Hill, is a former police officer. He was taken into custody without incident at a Destin hotel by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s department said federal authorities tipped them off that Gillum was in their jurisdiction and heading to Louisiana to target a large festival. Jazz Fest is the city’s biggest annual music event, drawing hundreds of thousands of people over two weekends. This year’s edition runs from late April through early May.
Gillum was booked as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting extradition to Louisiana. The investigation remains active. No further details about the specific plot have been released. The festival has not issued a public statement.
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ROMBO Editorial Staff
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