Alleged Atlanta Concert Shooting Plot to Incite Race War

Mark Adams Prieto, 58, from Arizona, has been indicted for plotting a mass taking pictures at a Unhealthy Bunny live performance in Atlanta to incite a race struggle. Federal prosecutors allege that Prieto deliberate to focus on Black concertgoers utilizing semi-automatic rifles obtained by money offers to keep away from detection.

The plot was uncovered when a recruited participant knowledgeable the FBI, resulting in a months-long investigation. Prieto additionally tried to recruit an secret agent. He believed a mass taking pictures ought to happen earlier than martial legislation is carried out after the 2024 election.

“Prieto believes that martial legislation might be carried out shortly after the 2024 election and {that a} mass taking pictures ought to happen prior,” the supply instructed the FBI Phoenix workplace, including that Prieto was “able to kill a bunch of individuals.”

Prieto selected Atlanta because of its vital Black inhabitants, whom he blamed for elevated crime. He deliberate the assault for mid-Could, June, or July, together with a Unhealthy Bunny live performance, advising conspirators to put on hoodies to mix in.

He focused a rap live performance, believing it could entice a big Black viewers, and suggested his co-conspirators to put on hoodies to mix in. Prieto deliberate to depart Accomplice flags on the scene and shout “KKK all the best way” and “no mercy, no quarter.”

Prieto went so far as planning to stash weapons close to the live performance and thought of a number of dates in mid-Could, June, or July, together with one the place Unhealthy Bunny was scheduled to carry out. Regardless of telling the secret agent in April that he needed to delay the assault, Prieto continued planning till his arrest on Could 14.

He was arrested on Could 14 and admitted discussing the plot however claimed he didn’t intend to comply with by. Prieto faces prices of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Firearms Trafficking, and Switch of a Firearm for Use in a Hate Crime, which might lead to as much as 40 years in jail if convicted.