NewsNational News

Actions

Man charged after guns found before gay event

Posted at
and last updated

An Indiana man has been charged with felony weapons violations after California authorities say he was found with three assault rifles and explosive chemicals in his car ahead of a major gay pride parade.

James Wesley Howell was charged Tuesday in Los Angeles County with possessing an assault weapon, a high-capacity magazine and explosives on a public highway.

He also was charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle.

Prosecutors are asking that he be held on $2 million bail. It was unclear if Howell has an attorney.

Police say the 20-year-old Howell was arrested Sunday in Santa Monica with the weapons and explosive materials in a car he apparently drove from Indiana.

Howell told police he was headed to a gay pride event in West Hollywood that attracts hundreds of thousands of people.