Christopher Gillum, a 45-year-old man from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was arrested in Destin, Florida, on April 22, 2026, after Louisiana authorities issued a warrant accusing him of making terroristic threats. Officials allege Gillum planned to carry out a mass shooting at a music festival in New Orleans and then die in a confrontation with police. A handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition were recovered from his hotel room. Gillum, who previously served as a police officer in North Carolina, is being held in Florida pending extradition. His family had reported him missing days earlier, citing concerns about self-harm and racist threats, but authorities had no legal basis to detain him at the time. The investigation is ongoing, with Louisiana State Police and the FBI involved. Officials state there are currently no known direct threats to festivals in the state. The specific festival Gillum allegedly targeted has not been officially confirmed, though the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is ongoing.

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