Los Angeles Mayor: Heavily Armed Man Was Headed To Gay Pride Parade
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A heavily armed man arrested in Southern California early Sunday told police he was in the area for West Hollywood's huge gay pride parade, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
Garcetti announced the arrest Sunday while attending the LA Pride kickoff.
Santa Monica police said in a statement that the suspect arrested Sunday is James Wesley, 20, Howell of Indiana.
Howell was first reported as a prowler by concerned neighbors.
Police say that when they arrested him, they found three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and ammunition and a five-gallon bucket with chemicals that could be used to make an explosive device.
CBS Los Angeles reported that the suspect was dressed in camouflage.
Santa Monica police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks tweeted that Howell told officers after he arrested that he wanted to harm the gay pride event in West Hollywood that was taking place about seven miles away later Sunday. Hundreds of thousands attend the annual event.
Authorities did not know of any connection between the gay nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, early Sunday and the Santa Monica arrest.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told City News Service that the agency was assisting the Santa Monica Police Department with the arrest of an individual," but would not supply any more details.
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials say they're assisting with the investigation and there was no immediate threat.
The pride event continued in memory of the victims in Orlando, with a moment of silence at the start.
"This march goes on, we go on, in the face of hate," he said.
Fifty people were killed in Orlando at the gay nightclub Pulse in what officials are calling an act of terror. CBS News identified the gunman as 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida.
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CBS News also reported that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria claimed responsibility for the attack.
It is the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
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