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Former Officer Arrested for Alleged Mass Shooting Plot at New Orleans Festival

KVIA•Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 1:56 PM•CNN Newsource

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Christopher Gillum, a former police officer, was arrested in Florida after authorities discovered plans indicating he intended to carry out a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans. The arrest occurred just as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was set to begin, an event that attracts around 400,000 attendees annually. Gillum, who had served as a police officer until 2019, was found in possession of a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition at his hotel. He is currently held in Florida awaiting extradition to Louisiana, highlighting the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and technology in preventing potential violence.

Key Details: • Gillum was arrested on a charge of making terroristic threats. • The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival runs from today until May 3. • He was apprehended in Destin, Florida, using Flock camera technology. • Authorities recovered a handgun and 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room. • Gillum is awaiting extradition to Louisiana.

arrest law-enforcement mass-shooting new-orleans terroristic-threats

People & Organizations

FBINew OrleansNew Orleans Police DepartmentChapel HillLouisiana State PoliceChristopher GillumHelena MorenoEric AdenDestinOkaloosa County Sheriff’s Office

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