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A suspected mass shooting plan—described by authorities as chillingly deliberate—was halted just in time when Christopher Gillum arrested for shooting plot unfolded across state lines, ending in a quiet Florida hotel room rather than a crowded festival ground.

Suspect Found Armed Ahead of Major Festival

Authorities say a man accused of planning a mass shooting at a major New Orleans festival was taken into custody at a hotel in Destin, Florida, where deputies discovered a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

While officials did not explicitly name the targeted event, the timing casts a long shadow over the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—widely known as JazzFest—which runs through May 3. The celebration of Louisiana’s music, cuisine and culture drew roughly 460,000 attendees last year, making it a potential high-profile target.

Arrest in Florida Ends Suspected Plan

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the suspect, identified by reports as Christopher Gillum, was arrested Wednesday night without incident in the Florida Panhandle city of Destin.

Deputies responding to a federal alert recovered a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from the hotel room. The arrest followed warnings that the suspect, traveling from North Carolina, may have been en route to carry out a mass shooting at a large festival in Louisiana.

The sheriff’s office said Gillum was wanted for “terroristic threats” by the Department of Public Safety, though the specific federal agency that flagged the threat was not disclosed. The Federal Bureau of Investigation office in New Orleans has not immediately commented.

Former Officer Identified

According to reports from Fox TV, Gillum previously served as a police officer in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. City officials confirmed he was employed there from 2004 until 2019, adding a layer of unease to the case—like a guardian turned suspect.

Multi-State Coordination Praised

Law enforcement officials emphasized that the arrest was the result of swift coordination across jurisdictions, stretching from North Carolina to Florida and into Louisiana.

The suspect is currently being held as a fugitive and is expected to be extradited to Louisiana to face charges. Authorities have not confirmed whether he has obtained legal representation.

Danny Berrincha said the investigation remains ongoing in collaboration with federal authorities.

“At this time, there are no known direct threats to any festivals in Louisiana,” he said, offering cautious reassurance.

Officials Applaud Swift Action

Helena Moreno praised the coordinated effort, calling it a critical example of inter-agency vigilance.

“Job well done,” Moreno said, noting that the response spanned multiple states and agencies, potentially preventing tragedy before it could unfold.