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A North Carolina man was arrested in Florida. He is said to be planning a massacre in an upcoming New Orleans Music Festival have planned. Presumably the city’s annual Jazz Festival.
Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a former police officer, was arrested without incident by the Destin County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office. Gillum had been staying at a hotel in Destin and was reportedly on his way to the music festival.
Authorities speak of a planned “massacre”
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office wrote on social media: “OCSO was contacted by federal authorities regarding a man from North Carolina who was in our jurisdiction and was allegedly planning to cause a massacre at a major festival in Louisiana. Our Bravo East Deputies located the man at a hotel in Destin and took him into custody as a fugitive felon without incident this evening. He has been extradited to Louisiana for prosecution. Excellent job by everyone.”
The sheriff’s office added that 200 rounds of ammunition and a handgun were seized from Gillum’s hotel room during the arrest. Gillum was wanted for making terroristic threats.
Family reported him missing
Gillum’s family reported him missing on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. She also told law enforcement in North Carolina that he had a history of self-harm and had “most recently made threats to kill ‘Black people.’ This was explained by Lt. Clint Lyons of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.
Gillum worked as a sworn police officer in Chapel Hill from 2006 to 2019 and then as a correctional officer at a detention center from 2024 to September 2025 before resigning from his service.
Was the Jazz Fest the goal?
While authorities did not name the specific festival Gillum was targeting, the New Orleans Jazz Fest begins Thursday, April 23.
“Jazz Fest is grateful to all law enforcement partners for their dedication and exceptional service to protect our community,” Jazz Fest Press Director Matthew Goldman told USA Today. “As always, we are working closely with the FBI, Louisiana State Police, NOPD (New Orleans Police Department)the NOCEM (New Orleans Office of Coordination and Emergency Management) and other agencies together – and will continue to do so as we look forward to another safe and joyful Jazz Fest.”
Louisiana State Police Sgt. Ross Brennan said in a statement, “There are no known specific threats to festivals in Louisiana at this time.”
