Suspect accused of Louisiana festival mass shooting plot arrested in Florida

A North Carolina man was arrested at a Destin hotel after federal authorities warned the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office that he was headed to Louisiana to carry out a mass shooting at a large festival, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said Bravo East deputies found the man at the hotel and took him into custody without incident. He was booked as a fugitive from justice.

Authorities said the man will be extradited to Louisiana to face charges from Louisiana State Police. His name had not been released as of Thursday morning, April 23, 2026.

The sheriff’s office said federal authorities contacted deputies about the man being in the Destin area. Additional details, including the name of the festival and the specific charges expected in Louisiana, have not yet been released.

Major festivals taking place in Louisiana this weekend include the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which runs April 23-26, and Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette, which runs April 22-26.

Read more: KSLA