Former police officer arrested in Florida, accused of plotting mass shooting at Louisiana festival

DESTIN, Fla. (BuzzReport)— A potentially devastating mass shooting plot targeting a major Louisiana festival was stopped just in time after authorities arrested a former police officer at a Florida hotel, uncovering a weapon and a large cache of ammunition.

Christopher Gillum, 44, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken into custody Wednesday night at a hotel in Destin by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. He was wanted by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety on charges of making terroristic threats.

Investigators say Gillum was allegedly en route to New Orleans with plans to carry out a mass shooting at a large public festival. When deputies moved in, they recovered a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room. 

Authorities further allege Gillum intended to carry out the attack and then provoke law enforcement into killing him — a scenario commonly referred to as “suicide by cop.” 

TARGET: MAJOR FESTIVAL WITH MASSIVE CROWDS

While officials have not formally named the event, the alleged plot coincides with the start of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, one of the largest festivals in the region, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees each year.

Law enforcement sources indicate the suspect may have specifically intended to target large crowds, raising concerns about the potential scale of the attack had it not been intercepted.

TROUBLING BACKGROUND AND THREATS

Authorities say Gillum is a former law enforcement officer who previously served with the Chapel Hill Police Department from 2004 until his resignation in 2019. He later returned briefly in a non-sworn role in 2024 before leaving again. 

Investigators also revealed disturbing details surrounding the case. Prior to his arrest, Gillum had reportedly made threats and expressed violent intentions, including statements about harming Black individuals, according to law enforcement bulletins. 

Family members had reported him missing and warned authorities about his behavior, noting concerns about his mental state and access to a firearm. However, officials initially lacked sufficient legal grounds to detain him before he crossed state lines. 

MULTI-STATE INVESTIGATION

The case quickly escalated into a multi-agency effort involving local, state, and federal authorities. Investigators tracked Gillum’s movements using surveillance tools, including license plate recognition systems, which ultimately helped locate him in the Florida Panhandle. 

Deputies initially encountered Gillum earlier in the day during a welfare check but were unaware of the full scope of the threat at that time. He was later placed under surveillance until a warrant was secured, leading to his arrest without incident. 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Gillum is currently being held in Florida and is expected to be extradited to Louisiana, where he will face charges related to terroristic threats.

Despite the alarming nature of the case, Louisiana State Police say there are currently no known active threats to any festivals in the state. 

The investigation remains ongoing, with the FBI and state authorities continuing to examine the full extent of the alleged plot.

This arrest likely prevented what officials fear could have been a mass-casualty event, as law enforcement agencies emphasize the importance of rapid coordination and public vigilance in stopping potential acts of violence before they unfold.