An Arizona man named Mark Adams Prieto allegedly claims that he targeted the Puerto Rican star's concert because he believed it would draw a concentrated gathering of black people.
- Jun 14, 2024
AceShowbiz - An Arizona man has been indicted by the federal government for allegedly plotting to stage a mass shooting at a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta. Mark Adams Prieto was indicted earlier this week after he was arrested last month over the alleged plot.
The 58-year-old, who allegedly planned to spark a race war ahead of the presidential election, was charged with Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Firearms Trafficking, and Transfer of a Firearm for Use in a Hate Crime. He could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
It was said that Prieto brought semi-automatic rifles using cash or trades to avoid federal gun regulators. Prieto's plan fell through after the source that he tried to recruit for his plot notified the FBI. According to an affidavit obtained by NBC News, their investigation involved an undercover agent that Prieto also attempted to enlist.
"Prieto believes that martial law will be implemented shortly after the 2024 election and that a mass shooting should occur prior," the source told the FBI Phoenix, adding that he was "ready to kill a bunch of people."
He decided on Atlanta because he believed black people had gathered there and turned it into a hotbed of crime. "The reason I say Atlanta. Why, why is Georgia such a f**ked-up state now? When I was a kid that was one of the most conservative states in the country. Why is it not now?" Prieto allegedly told the source.
He continued, "Because as the crime got worse in L.A., St. Louis, and all these other cities, all the [racial slur] moved out of those [places] and moved to Atlanta. That's why it isn't so great anymore. And they've been there for a couple, several years."
Prieto allegedly targeted Bad Bunny's concert because he believed it would draw a concentrated gathering of black people. He instructed his supposed conspirators to wear hoodies when joining the crowd to avoid drawing attention. Before traveling to carry out his planned mass shooting, Prieto allegedly stored guns near the concert.
