Cops: 3 More Potential Mass Shooters Stopped

Tips from public lead to arrests in 3 states
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 19, 2019 5:31 AM CDT
Updated Aug 19, 2019 6:33 AM CDT
Police Say Tips Helped Them Thwart 3 Mass Shootings
Tristan Wix.   (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)

Three potential mass shooters in three states are now in custody after arrests over the weekend, authorities say. Police say the men in Connecticut, Florida, and Ohio were arrested thanks to tips from the public, CNN reports. In the Ohio case, police say 20-year-old white nationalist James Reardon was arrested Saturday over an Instagram post that suggested he wanted to attack a Jewish community center. In Connecticut, 22-year-old Norwalk resident Brandon Wagshol was arrested after authorities received a tip that he was trying to buy large capacity rifle magazines from out of state, CBS New York reports. The Norwalk Police Department and the FBI say they discovered that Wagshol had posted on Facebook expressing interest in carrying out a mass shooting.

Authorities say a raid on Wagshol's home uncovered numerous weapons, along with items like a titanium body armor and a combat helmet. TPM reports that Wagshol, who is charged with four counts of illegal possession of high-capacity firearm magazines, appears to have made numerous racist posts online using multiple Twitter accounts. In the Florida case, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office says Tristan Scott Wix, 25, was arrested Friday after he sent his ex-girlfriend texts threatening a mass shooting and she contacted authorities. In one message, the Daytona Beach resident said he wanted to "break a world record for longest confirmed kill ever," the AP reports. In another, he said he wanted to open fire on a crowd and "a good 100 kills would be nice." CNN reports that the only weapon police found in his home was a .22 caliber hunting rifle. (More mass shootings stories.)

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