California officials stated the possibility of another mass attack after they arrested a 20-year-old man James Howell from Santa Monica, just hours later from the shooting in Orlando on 12th June.
Howell had multiple weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials in his possession, when the police arrested him from his car with Indiana license plate. The police was informed about him around 5 in the morning on 12th June, by a resident.
Howell had three assault rifles, ammunition and high-capacity magazines with him. The officials also discovered five gallons of chemicals that can be used to create explosives.
The officials tried to determine his intentions after the arrest. The police chief of Santa Monica, Jacqueline Seabrooks initially stated that Howell informed that he wants to harm the annual LA Gay Pride parade. Later, Santa Monica police lieutenant Saul Rodriguez later informed, “”It was a misstatement as chief Seabrooks was given the wrong information. He did not make any additional statements saying he was going to do anything further than attend the parade.”
Howell was being held by the police on $500,000 bail money for possessing firearms and explosives.
No connection between Orlando shooter and Howell has been found yet by the police.
The parade authority went ahead with the parade instead of calling it off. The parade went smoothly on 12th June, without any further incident. The security of the parade beefed up by adding undercover police officials in the crowd.
James Howell was also charged in October’15 for pointing a firearm at a person. It looks like America dodged another attack on LGBT community.
