North Carolina man arrested, accused of plotting mass shooting at festival
WDSU • • general
Key Points:
- Christopher Gillum, a North Carolina man and former police officer, was arrested in Destin, Florida, for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans followed by suicide by cop.
- Authorities recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from Gillum’s hotel room; he is currently held in Okaloosa County jail pending extradition to Louisiana.
- Gillum has a law enforcement background, having served as a Chapel Hill police officer until 2019 and held various roles in the Orange County Sheriff's Office, with recent resignations and terminations noted.
- Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and local police departments, coordinated across multiple states to prevent the threat, with officials emphasizing ongoing investigations and heightened security measures.
- New Orleans officials and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the swift collaborative response and reaffirmed their commitment to public safety ahead of upcoming festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
