A former North Carolina law enforcement officer was stopped before reaching Louisiana after authorities say he intended to carry out a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival, setting off a multi-agency response that ended with his arrest in Florida.
Investigators say Christopher Gillum, 44, was traveling toward New Orleans when he was arrested at a hotel in Destin, Fla., halting what officials described as a planned attack before it reached its target.
Deputies located Gillum without incident, but what they found inside his hotel room raised immediate concern.
A handgun and roughly 200 rounds of ammunition were recovered, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, adding weight to claims that the trip was not routine.
Authorities said Gillum had outlined plans to attend a festival in New Orleans and carry out a mass shooting, triggering a warrant in Orleans Parish tied to terroristic threats.
Officials did not initially identify the specific event, though festival organizers later indicated the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was believed to be the intended destination.
Event organizers moved quickly to reassure attendees, emphasizing that security measures were already in place.
“The NOPD is aware of this incident and has a strong security plan in place to ensure the safety of those in attendance for both weekends of Jazz Fest,” organizers said in a statement. “As always, public safety remains our top priority not only at this event, but throughout the city.”
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Law enforcement agencies across multiple states became involved as details about Gillum’s background and recent behavior surfaced.
According to reports cited by the Associated Press, Gillum’s family had contacted authorities a day earlier, saying he was missing and in possession of a firearm.
They also warned that he had recently made threats to harm “Black people,” a detail that quickly elevated the urgency of the search.
Bulletins circulated among departments in North Carolina and beyond, flagging Gillum as a potential threat as officers worked to track his movements.
Officials also noted a reported history of self-harm, though investigators have not publicly detailed how that may have factored into the situation.
Louisiana State Police confirmed they are working alongside federal authorities as the case develops, but offered limited additional information.
“At this time, there are no known direct threats to any festivals in Louisiana, but we are constantly working with local, state, and federal partners through our Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange Center to ensure safety,” spokesperson Danny Berrincha said.
Gillum’s law enforcement career spanned multiple roles over nearly two decades before his arrest.
He first served as a sworn officer in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, beginning in 2004, remaining in that position until resigning in 2019.
He later worked in Carolina Beach as a police officer for roughly a year, before taking on a role as a detention officer in Orange County.
After leaving that position, he returned to Chapel Hill in a non-sworn capacity in 2024, though that role ended later the same year.
His most recent position was as a sheriff’s deputy in Orange County in early 2025, a job he left several months later.
Authorities are now preparing to extradite Gillum to Louisiana, where he is expected to face charges related to the alleged threats.
The intercepted plan in New Orleans comes as Louisiana grapples with a separate act of violence that unfolded inside a Baton Rouge shopping center, underscoring how quickly routine public spaces can turn into scenes of chaos.
At the Mall of Louisiana, an argument between two groups escalated into gunfire in the food court, leaving one person dead and multiple others injured.
Police said the confrontation began shortly before 1:30 p.m., when tensions between the groups spilled over in a crowded area near food vendors.
Witnesses described a sudden shift from verbal exchanges to violence as weapons were drawn in front of bystanders.
“It looks like guns were pulled after words were exchanged right in front of some of the food counters in the food court,” Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse said.
“When those guns were pulled and shots rang out, that’s when we, unfortunately and very tragically, had innocent victims struck.”
Five individuals were taken into custody following the shooting, though authorities said at the time that formal charges had not yet been filed.
Investigators indicated the violence was not random, instead stemming from a dispute between the two groups involved.
“It wasn’t a random act of violence but a very targeted disagreement between two groups of people,” Morse said.
Emergency responders moved quickly as the situation unfolded, with officers already stationed at the mall reacting immediately.
One Baton Rouge police officer ran toward the gunfire as shots were fired, while a sheriff’s deputy in the parking lot also moved in to assist.
Within minutes, dozens of additional officers arrived, securing the scene and beginning the process of identifying suspects and victims.
Medical teams transported multiple victims to nearby hospitals, where one person later died.
Another victim required surgery, while others were treated for injuries described as less severe.
Officials did not immediately clarify which victims were involved in the initial dispute and which were bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry acknowledged the shooting shortly after it began, urging the public to avoid the area while law enforcement responded.
“I am aware of the active shooter scene at the Mall of Louisiana. I am in coordination with law enforcement and we will update as we know more,” Landry said. “Please avoid the area.”
He later confirmed that some of the victims included students from Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, adding another layer of concern as details emerged.
“These senseless tragedies must end,” Landry said.
Local officials echoed that message while emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing.
Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards addressed the violence directly at the scene, promising accountability.
“To the thugs who did this, we’re going to catch you,” Edwards said. “We’re not going to have this in Baton Rouge. It’s not going to happen.”
As detectives continue reviewing evidence, authorities are asking for assistance from the public, particularly from anyone who recorded video during the incident.
“We do believe there is more people involved,” Morse said. “Please send us in all of the videos that you have, and continue to call Crimestoppers.”
