Ex-Police Officer Planned Mass Shooting in New Orleans, Officials Say
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Former North Carolina police officer Christopher Gillum was arrested in Florida for planning a mass shooting at a large New Orleans festival and intended to "commit suicide by cop," authorities reported.
- Gillum was detained without incident at a hotel in Destin, Florida, where law enforcement recovered a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.
- Gillum served with the Chapel Hill Police Department from 2004 until 2019, briefly returned in 2024, and also worked with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in various roles until resigning in September 2025, with no known disciplinary issues.
- The targeted event is believed to be the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which began on Thursday and typically attracts around 400,000 attendees.
- New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno praised the swift and coordinated law enforcement response involving multiple agencies, emphasizing ongoing efforts to address potential threats quickly and decisively.
