Additional Coverage:
- Man planning mass shooting at a New Orleans festival arrested with hundreds of rounds of ammo (nbcnews.com)
Man Arrested in Florida on Suspicion of Plotting Mass Shooting at Major New Orleans Festival
DESTIN, Fla. – Authorities apprehended a man at a Florida hotel who is suspected of planning a mass shooting at a large festival in New Orleans. The suspect was found in possession of a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, officials confirmed.
Although the specific event was not disclosed, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival-known as JazzFest-runs through May 3 and draws nearly half a million visitors annually to celebrate Louisiana’s vibrant music, food, and culture.
The suspect, a resident of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was wanted for terroristic threats, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Federal authorities identified the threat, though the particular agency involved was not specified. The FBI’s New Orleans office did not immediately comment.
The arrest occurred Wednesday night at a hotel in Destin, Florida. Deputies recovered a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from the suspect’s room. The sheriff’s office indicated they were alerted by federal officials that the individual was traveling through their jurisdiction en route to carry out an attack at a Louisiana festival.
The man was taken into custody without incident as a fugitive from justice and is slated for extradition to Louisiana to face charges. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
Louisiana State Police continue to investigate the matter alongside the FBI. Trooper Danny Berrincha emphasized that currently, there are no known direct threats to any Louisiana festivals.
Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell praised the coordinated effort, stating, “Job well done!” She highlighted the collaboration between law enforcement agencies spanning multiple states, from North Carolina to Florida.