Former North Carolina Officer Arrested In Florida Over Alleged New Orleans Festival Mass Shooting Plot
Christopher Gillum, a 44-year-old former North Carolina police officer, was arrested Wednesday evening in Destin, Florida, accused of planning a mass shooting at a large New Orleans festival.
Okaloosa County deputies arrested Gillum without incident at a Destin hotel, officials said. They recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room.
Gillum is a resident of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is 44 years old. Law enforcement identified him as a former North Carolina police officer. Officials have not released a motive, a timeline, or the specific festival targeted.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office posted details of the arrest on social media, and local reporters have confirmed the handgun and ammunition recovery. Investigators say the probe is active and more information will likely be released as the case moves forward.
đ Key Facts
- The suspect is identified as 44-year-old Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Authorities say Gillum is a former North Carolina police officer.
- Officials accuse him of planning a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival.
- Okaloosa County deputies arrested Gillum without incident at a hotel in Destin, Florida (Wednesday evening).
- Deputies recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition in his hotel room.
- The arrest details were attributed to a social-media post by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
đ° Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The New York Times confirms the suspect is a former police officer and provides his age and hometown: 44-year-old Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- It reiterates that Okaloosa County deputies arrested Gillum at a Destin, Florida, hotel without incident.
- It confirms that a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition were recovered from his hotel room.
- Confirms the suspect is 44-year-old former North Carolina police officer Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill.
- Specifies that Gillum was arrested Wednesday evening at a Destin, Florida hotel.
- Details that Okaloosa County deputies found a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition in his hotel room.
- Attributes the arrest details to a social-media post by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
- Suspect is identified as 44-year-old Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Authorities say Gillum is a former North Carolina police officer.
- Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office reports he was arrested without incident at a Destin, Florida hotel.
- Deputies say they found a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition in his hotel room.