A North Carolina man suspected of planning a mass shooting at a large New Orleans festival has been arrested at a Florida hotel, according to authorities. The suspect, from Chapel Hill, was taken into custody Wednesday night in Destin, Florida, with a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.
Details of the Arrest
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office reported that federal authorities contacted them regarding a man from North Carolina who was allegedly en route to carry out a mass shooting at a major festival in Louisiana. The sheriff's office stated that the man was wanted by the Department of Public Safety for terroristic threats. He was arrested without incident and is being held as a fugitive from justice, pending extradition to Louisiana to face charges. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
Connection to JazzFest
Although the specific festival was not named in official statements, the widely recognized New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly known as JazzFest, is scheduled to commence on Thursday and run through May 3. The event, which celebrates Louisiana's music, food, and culture, attracted approximately 460,000 attendees last year, according to organizers.
Louisiana State Police spokesperson Trooper Danny Berrincha confirmed that the agency is collaborating with the FBI on the investigation. “At this time, there are no known direct threats to any festivals in Louisiana,” he added.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno praised law enforcement coordination, stating, “Job well done! The coordination extended to law enforcement agencies in multiple states from North Carolina to Florida.” The FBI office in New Orleans did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
