A North Carolina man who was allegedly planning a mass shooting at a large festival in New Orleans was arrested Wednesday night in Destin, Florida, according to local authorities.
Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill was arrested without incident after federal authorities contacted the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, saying he was believed to be in their district. He was located at a Destin hotel as a fugitive, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Christopher Gillum
He is wanted in Orleans Parish for terroristic threats, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Gillum is accused of planning to travel to a festival in New Orleans to commit a mass shooting and then commit suicide by cop, officials said. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is set to start its first weekend on Thursday.
Gillum was caught with a handgun and around 200 rounds of ammunition, according to a photo posted by the Sheriff’s Office. He was found with the assistance of the Florida county’s Flock license plate reading camera system.
He will be extradited to Louisiana, officials said.
Louisiana State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No other information was released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
