A former North Carolina police officer was arrested in Florida after federal authorities learned he was heading to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition, allegedly planning to carry out a mass incident targeting Black people.
Former Chapel Hill Officer Had History of Threats
Christopher Gillum, a former law enforcement officer from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was arrested on April 22 at a hotel in Destin, Florida. His family had reported him missing and told authorities he had recently expressed threats to harm Black people.
Deputies recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room. According to investigators, Gillum was en route to New Orleans, where the Jazz and Heritage Festival opened on April 23. The festival attracts approximately 460,000 attendees annually.
Released Then Rearrested After Warrant
In a disturbing twist, Gillum was initially stopped by Florida law enforcement but released because he reportedly "did not present grounds for involuntary commitment or criminal charges." He was only arrested later that same day after a warrant arrived from Louisiana.
Gillum served as a sworn police officer in Chapel Hill from 2004 to 2019, then bounced between multiple law enforcement jobs through 2025. He also had a documented history of self harm.
Extradition to Louisiana Pending
Gillum will be extradited to Louisiana to face charges. The case has raised serious questions about how a former officer with known violent threats was able to travel across state lines with weapons before being stopped.
The New Orleans Jazz Fest continued as planned with heightened security. Social media erupted with reactions, with many questioning how Gillum was initially released despite the clear warning signs. How does someone with documented threats get released the first time?
