December 1, 2023 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Man Arrested with Weapons Before Pride Parade Expected to Show in Court

LA Pride Parade
(L.A. Pride)

An Indiana man who was bound for the LA Pride parade in West Hollywood and was allegedly carrying weapons, ammunition and bomb- making materials in his car when he was arrested in Santa Monica was expected to appear in court today on state charges.

Jane Robison of the District Attorney’s Office said prosecutors were in the process of filing charges against James Wesley Howell, 20, who was arrested around 5 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of 11th Street, near Olympic Boulevard — hours after the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, left 49 people and the gunman dead.

“We anticipate he will be arraigned or at least make an appearance at Airport Court sometime today on state charges,” Robison said, saying it was unclear exactly when charges would be filed and the court hearing would be.

Wesley was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail on suspicion of weapons and explosives possession.

Police said Howell was found sitting in his car when officers responded to a report of a man knocking on a resident’s door and window.

Officers examining Howell’s white Acura sedan with Indiana license plates recovered three assault rifles, high capacity magazines and ammunition along with a 5-gallon bucket with chemicals that could have been used to make an improvised explosive device, police said. The sheriff’s department bomb squad was called to help make sure the vehicle and area were safe, police said.

Howell told police he was planning to attend the 46th annual LA Pride Parade and Festival in West Hollywood, but made no reference to doing harm there, according to Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez.

“He did not make any additional statements saying he was going to do anything further than” attend the event, Rodriguez said. Police said Howell and his car were found about seven miles from the event, police said.

Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks and Rodriguez said there was no known connection between Howell and the overnight mass-shooting in Orlando, Florida, where 49 people were killed and 53 wounded in the nation’s worst mass shooting.

Security was increased at Sunday’s LA Pride festival as a result of the Orlando massacre and Howell’s arrest, said Lt. Vance Duffy of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. Santa Monica police and the FBI were continuing to investigate the case.

Howell was arrested less than a year ago for allegedly pointing a gun at his neighbors, according to the Los Angeles Times, which cited Indiana court records. He was charged in October with felony intimidation and pointing a firearm at another person.

On April 19, Howell accepted a deal in which he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor intimidation, was sentenced to a year in state prison but was placed on probation, the newspaper reported. Howell agreed to forfeit all weapons during probation.

Authorities in the Southland have been trying to determine Howell’s intentions.

Joseph Greeson, 18, a friend of Howell’s and a fellow car club member, said Howell didn’t harbor any ill will toward gays or lesbians and that he is bisexual, The Times reported.

On Monday, the Walt Disney Co. announced that it had increased security at its theme parks.

“Unfortunately we’ve all been living in a world of uncertainty, and during this time we have increased our security measures across our properties, adding such visible safeguards as magnetometers, additional canine units, and law enforcement officers on site, as well as less visible systems that employ state-of-the-art security technologies,” Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said in a statement.

Related Posts

(Video) Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular successfully brought the holiday spirit to the city’s residents. A large crowd happily sledded,...

Tragic Loss: Los Angeles Tree Trimmer Dies While Working, Community Rallies to Support Family

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Noel Gonzalez Sixtos, a 33-Year-Old Father, Remembered Fondly as Community Joins Hands to Assist Grieving Family By Dolores Quintana Noel...

Ladytron’s Surprise Gift: ‘All Over By Xmas’ Drops, Unveiling a Festive Classic Decades in the Making

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Liverpool’s Electronic Pioneers Deliver a “Majestic Glam Stomp” for the Holidays By Dolores Quintana At the stroke of midnight, Ladytron,...

Los Angeles County to Open CARE Court One Year Earlier Than Planned

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Program Seeks to Solve Mental Health Crisis Among the Unhoused By Dolores Quintana In a collaborative effort led by Los...

Alarming Surge in Hate Crimes: Los Angeles County’s Troubling Report Reveals Disturbing Statistics

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Report Reveals Alarming Trends and Urgent Need for Action By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations...

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Farewell to a Legend: Primo’s Donuts Founder Remembered in Heartfelt Celebration

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Community Gathers to Honor Ralph Primo SR., Entrepreneur, and Family Man By Keemia Zhang The life of Ralph Primo Sr.,...

Red Chickz Unveils $5 Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich for One Day Only

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

The Savory-Sweet Sandwich is Red Chickz’s Newest Craveable Creation By Dolores Quintana Red Chickz, the red hot chicken eatery known...

Esquire’s Culinary Picks: Unveiling the Best New Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

Esquire Magazine Spotlights Most Memorable New Eateries  Esquire Magazine has released its year-end lists of the best new restaurants in...

(Video) The Culver City Free Covid Vaccine Clinic

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

The clinic offered free vaccinations against the newest variants and has lots of people there taking advantage of the opportunity....

Bloomsybox Challenges Christmas Movie Fans to Rate Hallmark Christmas Movies

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Applicant Chosen Will Receive Prizes and Cash Worth $2,500  By Dolores Quintana A flower delivery company, Bloomsy Box, is challenging...

Snowy Delight and Tree Lighting Magic: Downtown Culver City’s Annual Sled-tacular Celebration

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Join the Festive Fun with Snow, Sledding, and a Dazzling 22-foot Holiday Tree Lighting By Dolores Quintana Embrace the holiday...

Attorney General Rob Bonta Advises Californians to Exercise Caution on Giving Tuesday

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Tips and Resources Ensure Safe Donations Amid Rising Threats By Dolores Quintana Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with the...

Venice Family Clinic CEO Responds to Protests From Healthcare Workers

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

CEO Defends Decision to Close Local Pharmacy  The Venice Family Clinic has responded regarding the intended closure of the pharmacy...

Theft at Gunpoint Escalates at Culver City Retail Store – Police Seek Public Assistance

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Culver City Police Investigate Assault with Deadly Weapon and Petty Theft On Saturday, November 25, 2023, at approximately 8:19 pm,...