Police arrest two men in Richmond, Virginia

Two guys have been arrested in relationship to a mass shooting plot focusing on Richmond, Virginia’s Fourth of July celebration, authorities mentioned Wednesday. The arrests arrived immediately after a July 1 phone simply call tipped off police and spurred an investigation.

“Just one cellular phone call” saved an mysterious variety of life around the getaway weekend, authorities said at a Wednesday afternoon press convention.

Police seized over 200 rounds of ammunition, two assault rifles and one handgun from an apartment in which the males were residing. Authorities also saw “associated product” in plain perspective on remaining enable into the condominium without having a warrant, police said.

“Their intent was to carry out a mass taking pictures,” Richmond Law enforcement Chief Gerald M. Smith stated at a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

The caller, whose id was not introduced, acquired about the plot due to the fact they “overheard a discussion that there was a mass capturing currently being planned . . . at our Fourth of July celebration,” Smith mentioned.

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The mass taking pictures plot was heading to focus on Richmond’s Dogwood Dell Amphitheater, the web page of the city’s fireworks show.

Smith said investigators also experienced concerns the plot could have targeted The Diamond, Richmond’s slight league baseball stadium, in which the Traveling Squirrels performed towards the Reading, Pennsylvania Fightin Phils Monday night.

Julio Alvardo-Dubon, 52, and Rolman A. Balacarcel, 38, have been charged with being non-U.S. citizens in possession of a firearm, according to Smith. Their nationalities have not been introduced to the general public.

The to start with of the two arrests was made prior to July 4 and the 2nd arrest was created on July 5.

Investigators waited to make the second arrest until just after they had enough proof, in accordance to Smith. Between the time of the tip contact and the second arrest, the 2nd gentleman was under police surveillance.

Tale proceeds

“We were being observing him very really intently,” Smith reported.

Police would not give even more details about how the particular person who termed in the suggestion figured out of the taking pictures plot.

“You should not know how he read it, but he listened to it and he did the ideal issue with the facts,” Smith stated Wednesday. “He place it into the palms of legislation enforcement and we are so thankful for him and numerous family members and good friends and loved kinds are as properly.”

Richmond Law enforcement reported they experienced experienced no encounters with the two gentlemen prior to the July 1 phone call, Smith stated Wednesday.

Both men are being held in the Richmond town jail devoid of bail.

No motive has been identified in the circumstance, Smith mentioned.

Law enforcement had mentioned earlier Wednesday morning they thwarted the planned July 4 mass capturing just after receiving a tip that led to arrests and seizure of multiple guns.

The news of the thwarted shooting targeting Richmond’s Fourth of July celebration arrived just two days right after a violent assault on a holiday parade in Chicago’s suburb of Highland Park that killed seven persons and hurt dozens.

This short article at first appeared on Usa Right now: Prepared taking pictures in Richmond, Va. July 4 thwarted, two gentlemen arrested