Law enforcement officials have detained a North Carolina man who they believe was plotting to carry out a mass shooting at a major festival in New Orleans, apprehending him at a Florida hotel with a weapon and substantial ammunition.
While officials did not specify which event was targeted, the timing coincides with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, widely known as JazzFest, which began Thursday and continues through May 3. This annual celebration of Louisiana’s musical heritage, cuisine, and cultural traditions drew approximately 460,000 attendees in the previous year, according to event organizers.
The Chapel Hill, North Carolina resident was wanted on terroristic threat charges by the Department of Public Safety, according to an online statement from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. Federal agencies had flagged the suspected threat, though the specific agency was not disclosed. The FBI’s New Orleans office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Deputies from the Okaloosa sheriff’s department made the arrest Wednesday evening at a Destin hotel in Florida’s Panhandle region without any complications. Law enforcement officers seized a handgun along with roughly 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room, the department reported.
According to the sheriff’s office, federal authorities reached out to them regarding a North Carolina man who was traveling through their area while allegedly en route to conduct a mass shooting at a major Louisiana festival.
The suspect has been charged as a fugitive from justice and will be transferred to Louisiana to face additional charges. Information about legal representation was not immediately available.
Louisiana State Police spokesperson Trooper Danny Berrincha confirmed that his agency continues to work with the FBI to investigate the incident.
“At this time, there are no known direct threats to any festivals in Louisiana,” he added.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell praised the law enforcement response, saying “Job well done!” She noted that the successful operation involved “coordination extended to law enforcement agencies in multiple states from North Carolina to Florida.”
