Mass shootings are a common occurrence in this country, so we should be thankful when they are stopped preemptively.
Take Mark Prieto, a 58-year-old white man who was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
The indictment claims that Prieto had several discussions with two men earlier this year who were working with the FBI about his plans to commit a mass shooting that targeted African Americans and other minorities. Allegedly, he hoped that the shooting would cause a race war just as the country was starting to focus on the 2024 presidential election.
That plan clearly didn’t come to fruition since he had no idea the two men with whom he shared his plans were working with the feds. Prieto was targeting a rap concert that was taking place on May 14-15 since he thought that’s where he would find the largest number of Black citizens.
More from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona:
The indictment further alleges that, having discussed specific details about the planned attack, Prieto sold two rifles to one of the individuals, an AK-style rifle on February 25, 2024, and an AR-style rifle on March 24, 2024. During the entire investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation closely monitored Prieto’s movements. On May 14, 2024, Prieto was stopped by law enforcement driving east from Arizona through New Mexico along Interstate 40. Prieto was in possession of seven firearms and was taken into federal custody. Law enforcement then executed a search warrant at his home in Prescott. Law enforcement found more firearms in his residence, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
Allegedly, Prieto wanted to carry out the mass shooting before the presidential election because he thought martial law would be in effect afterward, making it impossible for him to do it then, according to CNN.
He faces 15 years for firearms trafficking, 10 years for possession of an unregistered firearm, and another 15 years for transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, per the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.