Full Breakdown
Former North Carolina Officer Arrested in Florida Over Alleged New Orleans Festival Shooting Plot
4/24/2026, 2:19:03 PM
Arrest of Christopher Gillum in Destin, Florida
Okaloosa deputies arrested 45-year-old Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Wednesday night at a Hampton Inn & Suites on Scenic Highway 98 in Destin, Florida. A handgun and about 200 rounds were seized. He is in the Okaloosa jail pending extradition to Louisiana on a terroristic-threats charge.
Background & Timeline
Gillum was a Chapel Hill police officer (2004-2019) and later worked in Carolina Beach and for the Orange County sheriff’s office (2023-2025). His family reported him missing on Tuesday, saying he owned a gun and had threatened to harm Black people. Deputies performed a welfare check Wednesday, began surveillance after learning of the investigation, and arrested him without incident on Wednesday evening (April 22).
Plot Details
Federal investigators allege Gillum planned to travel to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—an event that drew about 460,000 attendees last year—to carry out a mass shooting and then “commit suicide by cop.” He told officers he was “enroute to New Orleans.” The FBI is coordinating with agencies in North Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. About 200 rounds and a handgun were recovered.
Official Responses
Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden said the arrest shows how technology and inter-agency cooperation can stop violence. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno praised the swift work of local, state and federal partners. Attorney General Liz Murrill said she is confident events are secure. Louisiana State Police reported no known direct threats to festivals. Jazz & Heritage Festival stressed coordination with the FBI, Louisiana State Police, NOPD and NOCEM and affirmed a safe, joyful festival.
Pre-Arrest Criticism
Law-enforcement officials noted that Gillum’s threats did not meet the statutory requirement of an imminent victim, preventing his detention before the alleged plot.
Conflicting Reports
Gillum’s family reported threats to Black people, yet Louisiana State Police say there are no known direct threats to the festival. Authorities have not publicly named the targeted event, though the Jazz & Heritage Festival is strongly implied.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is where urgent collaboration and cooperation pays off,” — Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff
- “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners at every level to ensure that any potential danger is addressed quickly and decisively.” — Helena Moreno, Mayor of New Orleans
- “I am confident our events are secure,” — Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General
- “Authorities obtained information Gillum planned to travel to a festival in New Orleans to conduct a mass shooting and then commit suicide by cop,” — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
What’s Next
Gillum will be extradited to Louisiana to face the terroristic-threats charge. The FBI and state agencies continue to investigate possible accomplices and the broader network that may have facilitated the plot.
