Former Officer Christopher Gillum Released After Grand Jury Declines to Indict Him in Alleged Mass Shooting Plot

NEW ORLEANS, La. — A former North Carolina law enforcement officer accused of planning a mass shooting targeting Black people in New Orleans has been released from custody after a Louisiana grand jury declined to indict him.

Christopher Gillum, 45, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was arrested in Florida in April after authorities alleged he was traveling toward Louisiana with plans to carry out an act of mass violence. Investigators said he had a handgun and roughly 200 rounds of ammunition when he was taken into custody.

Gillum's arrest came shortly before the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, although authorities have not publicly confirmed that the festival was his intended target. Officials said Gillum had recently expressed threats to harm Black people.

Grand Jury Declines to Indict Gillum

A Louisiana grand jury in June 2026 declined to indict Gillum on a state charge of terrorizing. The charge could have carried a sentence of up to 15 years if he had been convicted.

Gillum had been held without bond following his extradition to Louisiana. He was released from custody sometime after the grand jury's decision, a development that had not previously been publicly reported.

His attorney, Dylan Utley, said Gillum is not currently facing criminal charges in Louisiana or any other jurisdiction.

Jurisdictional Issues Complicated the Case

Louisiana officials said several jurisdictional issues affected the prosecution.

Lester Duhe, a spokesperson for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, said the threat communicated to a family member occurred while Gillum was in North Carolina, and Gillum had not entered Louisiana before his arrest in Florida.

The investigation involved law enforcement agencies in Louisiana, Florida and North Carolina, as well as the FBI.

North Carolina authorities told the Associated Press they were not aware that Gillum had been released. State officials have indicated they do not currently plan to pursue charges against him.

Arrest Came After Multi-State Investigation

Authorities said Gillum's family had previously reported him missing in North Carolina. Investigators became concerned after reports that he had made threats against Black people and was traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Following his arrest in Destin, Florida, Gillum was extradited to Louisiana and prosecuted under the state's terrorizing statute.

The law requires prosecutors to establish circumstances involving an imminent or ongoing violent crime or a dangerous situation threatening human life. The grand jury ultimately declined to return an indictment.

Gillum's family has since taken him to an out-of-state treatment facility, according to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office.

No Current Criminal Charges

Despite the serious allegations that led to Gillum's arrest, prosecutors did not obtain an indictment from the grand jury.

The decision does not establish that the allegations were proven, and Gillum has not been convicted of planning or attempting to carry out a mass shooting.

The FBI's New Orleans office said the decision to pursue charges rests with prosecutors.

For now, Gillum has been released from custody and is not facing criminal charges in any jurisdiction, according to his attorney.

The case has nevertheless raised questions about how authorities handle threats of mass violence when alleged preparatory conduct occurs across state lines and before an attack takes place.

The investigation and legal developments surrounding Christopher Gillum remain closely watched as authorities continue to determine whether any additional action is warranted.