AN EX-COP has been busted after intending to carry out a mass shooting at an upcoming music festival.
Christopher Gillum, 45, was arrested on Wednesday and found in possession of roughly 200 rounds of gun ammo.
Gillum was nabbed by the sheriff’s office in Okaloosa County, Florida, roughly 150 miles outside of Tallahassee, after allegedly making threats to carry out a mass shooting at a music festival in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Before his arrest, Gillum worked as a police officer with the Chapel Hill Police Department in North Carolina from 2004 to 2019, USA Today reported.
He also previously worked as a detention officer and a deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, according to Fox affiliate WVUE.
Gillum was traveling to New Orleans through Florida when police noticed him on the Okaloosa County FLOCK camera system.
“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,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden.
Gillum is currently awaiting extradition to Louisiana, cops said.
Family members who had reported Gillum missing before his arrest said the ex-cop had a history of self-harm, according to WVUE.
Gillum also had “expressed recent threats to harm ‘Black people,’” family members told police.
Police did not explicitly say what festival Gillum was planning to attack.
However, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is set to kick off on Friday.
“Jazz Fest is grateful to all law enforcement partners for their dedication and exceptional service in protecting our community,” festival press director Matthew Goldman told USA Today.
“As always, we coordinate closely with the FBI, Louisiana State Police, NOPD (New Orleans Police Department), NOCEM (New Orleans Office of Coordination and Emergency Management), and other agencies, and we will continue to do so as we look forward to another safe and joyful Jazz Fest.”
Louisiana State Police will continue investigating Gillum and the incident.
“At this time, there are no known direct threats to any festivals in Louisiana,” they said.
“We are constantly working with local, state and federal partners to ensure safety.”
In January 2025, 10 people were killed, and dozens of others were injured after a man drove his car into a New Year’s Eve celebration in New Orleans.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/16266775/mass-shooting-music-festival-new-orleans-avoided-cop-arrested/
