Public Safety

Fugitive accused of plotting New Orleans mass shooting captured in Destin

A North Carolina man wanted for allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival was arrested at a Destin hotel.

Jared Williams

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A North Carolina man wanted for allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival was arrested at a Destin hotel Wednesday evening.

Christopher Gillum, 45, of Chapel Hill, was taken into custody without incident by Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies around 6:40 p.m. at a hotel located at 1625 Scenic Highway 98, according to OCSO.

Investigators verified Gillum’s presence in the area through the county’s Flock camera system after receiving information he was in the jurisdiction.

Gillum is wanted in Orleans Parish by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety for alleged terroristic threats. Authorities said they obtained information that he planned to travel to a festival in New Orleans to conduct a mass shooting.

Deputies recovered a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from Gillum’s hotel room.

“This disturbing case highlights how technology like FLOCK and strong partnerships between agencies can help prevent potential violence and bring wanted fugitives into custody safely before a tragedy could occur,” Sheriff Eric Aden said.

Gillum is being held in the Okaloosa County Jail pending extradition to Louisiana.

For additional information, the OCSO directed inquiries to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety.

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