DESTIN, Fla. (WVUE) – A North Carolina man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival was arrested in Destin, Florida, after investigators used the county’s Flock camera system to determine he was in the area, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill was taken into custody without incident Wednesday evening at a hotel on Scenic Highway 98, the sheriff’s office said.
Christopher Gillum, wanted in Orleans Parish on a terroristic threats charge, was arrested in Destin, Florida, where deputies said they recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room.(Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities said Gillum was wanted in Orleans Parish by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety on a charge of terroristic threats.
Investigators said they received information Gillum was planning to travel to a festival in New Orleans to carry out a mass shooting and then commit “suicide by cop.”
The sheriff’s office said deputies recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from Gillum’s hotel room.
A suspect accused in an alleged Louisiana festival mass shooting plot is seen with an Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy after his arrest in Destin, Florida.(Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office)A handgun and ammunition shown by authorities during the investigation into an alleged mass shooting threat targeting a Louisiana festival.(Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office)
Gillum is being held in the Okaloosa County jail pending extradition to Louisiana.
“This disturbing case highlights how technology like FLOCK and strong partnerships between agencies can help prevent potential violence and bring wanted fugitives into custody safely before a tragedy could occur,” Sheriff Eric Aden said.
Authorities have not publicly identified the specific New Orleans festival that investigators believe Gillum was targeting. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival runs April 23-26 and April 30-May 3.
Mayor Helena Moreno praised the “swift work” of local, state and federal agencies following the arrest.
“This is where urgent collaboration and cooperation pays off,” Moreno said. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners at every level to ensure that any potential danger is addressed quickly and decisively.”
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.
Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.
Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
