In the wake of the horrific Orlando tragedy, everyone is on high alert.
The Santa Monica police quickly responded to a call about a suspicious man wandering around near Olympic Boulevard and 11th Street. When authorities approached, the man said that he was waiting for a friend.
A search of his vehicle yielded several weapons, including an assault rifle, a large amount of ammunition, and tannerite. Tannerite is an ingredient used to create pipe bombs. The vehicle had Indiana license plates and the man stated that he was in town for the Gay Pride event being held in West Hollywood this weekend.
There is no known connection to the shooting at gay Orlando nightclub, Pulse, that left 50 dead and 53 wounded early Sunday morning. However, West Hollywood City Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath said that they are beefing up security for today’s parade and other scheduled festivities.
Horvath states:
“Gun violence on the LGBTQ family during Pride Month makes me sick. The deadliest mass shooting in America happened to LGBTQ people on Latin night. While we mourn this heartbreaking loss, we must also rededicate ourselves to the fight for full equality for all people. No one is equal unless everyone is equal.
Officials do not believe the recent events are any threat to today’s events.