Police in Santa Monica, Calif., have confirmed that 20-year-old James Howell of Indiana was arrested this weekend before an LA Pride parade.
He was heavily armed at the time of his apprehension.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the arrest came after receiving a tip from someone in a neighborhood where Howell was loitering.
Someone who saw something said something, and authorities detained Howell, who was heavily armed and on his way to the pride parade.
It is unknown what his intentions were at this time.
Officials do not believe there is any connection with Saturday’s nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, the deadliest in American history.
Omar Mateen took the lives of 50 people and injured 53 more before being killed by police at Pulse nightclub in the central Florida city.
Meanwhile, across the country, James Howell may or may not have been planning something nefarious, but is in custody in any event.
According to multiple media sources, Howell had multiple weapons (or a small arsenal) in his car before the West Hollywood Pride event.
It is believed he was in possession of three assault rifles, high capacity magazines, ammunition, and a bucket with chemicals to make a bomb.
TMZ reports today that Howell was arrested less than a year ago for pointing a gun in a threatening manner at his Indiana neighbor.
Arrested and charged with pointing a firearm at another person, as well as intimidation, Howell copped a plea to the intimidation charge.
Howell got a year’s probation for that crime.
