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Man with weapons and plans to go to LA Pride arrested hours after Orlando shooting

Authorities are beefing up security after a man was arrested with several weapons and a possible intent to attack Los Angeles’s LGBTQ Pride Parade on Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The arrest comes hours after the deadliest mass shooting in US history at Pulse, a gay club in Orlando, Florida, left at least 50 people dead, including the shooter, and 53 people injured.

Police responded to calls of a suspected prowler in Santa Monica, according to the report. The man told police he was waiting for a friend, and had plans to head to the pride event in West Hollywood.

But when police officers inspected his car, which had Indiana plates, they found an assault rifle and ammunition, as well as tannerite, which can be used to make explosives.

The case has been taken up by the FBI. A link between the shooting in Orlando and this arrest have not been made, according to the Times.

Still, additional police officers will be present at LA Pride on Sunday, as 40,000 estimated participants mourn the events in Orlando with a moment of silence during the march.

"Forty-six years ago, members of the LGBTQ community came out in cities across the country in response to the Stonewall riots," LA Pride president Chris Classen said in a statement, according to the Times. "Today, we are heartbroken that so many of our brothers, sisters and allies were lost in this tragic [attack]. As we remember them today at our moment of silence, we must continue to show our pride, not just today but every day."


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