Police say Howell was the heavily armed man arrested in Santa Monica on his way to a Southern California gay pride parade, who told them he wanted to do harm to the event.
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Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said they are still trying to determine exactly what were the intentions of suspect James Wesley Howell of IN, who held the weapons and ammunition IN his vehicle. They found Howell sitting in his vehicle, which contained three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and explosive chemicals.
WLKY-TV reports that Howell went to Ballard High School in Louisville before being home-schooled.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have enhanced our security presence for the event and have tactical units at the ready to prevent and respond to any circumstances”, the sheriff’s office said.
The Times also writes that this is not the first time Howell has had a weapons-related run-in with the law: in court records show that he was charged with intimidation and for pointing a gun at another person in October 2015.
Santa Monica police said Howell told them he was in town for the annual gay pride parade in West Hollywood.
An Indiana probation officer met with Howell, 20, of Charlestown, Indiana, three weeks ago, rated him a low-level offender, and had yet to schedule the in-home visit, said James Hayden, chief probation officer in Clark County.
Police say they found no evidence of a connection between the two events.
“The suspect did make an initial statement that he was going to go to the Pride festival”, Rodriguez said.
While the Santa Monica police initially indicated that James Howell meant “to harm” the LGBT event in West Hollywood, Lt. Saul Rodriguez later clarified that Howell’s intentions are not clear.
TMZ says that the IN man is not answering many questions about why he had such a large supply of weapons IN his trunk.
Santa Monica police continued to search the suspect’s white Acura on Sunday morning. The man, James Howell, told police was headed to L.A. Pride, though officials aren’t yet sure of his motives.
“There is a risk, an inherent risk that growing up gay and in the gay community, I think on some personal level I’m used to that, that living my life is a risk”, Curly said.
In Santa Monica, Howell repeatedly knocked on a resident’s door and window, police said.
Even with the day’s chilling news and overcast skies, crowds still took to West Hollywood to show their pride and courage, as well as their condolences for Orlando’s victims.
Officers responded and made contact with Howell, who was sitting in his auto. While we mourn this heartbreaking loss, we must also rededicate ourselves to the fight for full equality for all people.
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For a minute, this year’s Los Angeles Pride nearly didn’t happen. He said he cried after hearing about Orlando, but he never considered not coming. “We have to show our love and unity”.
