Armed Man Never Said He’d Attack Parade

Authorities said Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks mistakenly announced that a 20-year-old man taken into custody with an arsenal of weapons had wanted to harm a gay pride event. In reality, the man was en route to the festival but never stated his intentions, Lt. Saul Rodriguez said. “It was a misstatement,” he said. “Unfortunately, she was given incorrect information initially, which indicated that that statement was made; however, that statement never was made. He did indicate that he was planning on going to the Pride festival, but beyond anything as far as motives or his intentions that statement was never made nor did any officer receive that statement.” James Wesley Howell, of Indiana, was arrested Sunday in the hours before the annual Gay Pride parade in West Hollywood.