Palm Beach County, Florida, authorities report they foiled a possible mass shooting by arresting 22-year-old Loxahatchee resident Damien Allen. Allen was arrested Sunday after a search of his residence uncovered a chilling arsenal of weapons and impersonation equipment.
In a report by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), the raid yielded 18 guns, some of which seemed to be automatic, over 300 pounds of ammunition, a taser, a two-way radio, and a 3D-printed replica body camera. Several fake federal and military identification badges were also discovered by investigators.
Deputies were surprised to find official-looking uniforms, such as those that look like PBSO gear, an FBI uniform, Army Ranger fatigues, and Marine Corps dress blues. Other tactical equipment like a ballistic vest and several helmets were also seized.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said to WPBF 25 News, “The investigators who worked this case there’s no doubt in my mind they have prevented a mass shooting that was going to occur. This guy was ready to go, had all the gear, had the inclination to do it. It’s just a matter of what day was going to prompt him to go do it.
The PBSO stated Allen was impersonating a law enforcement officer on social media. He reportedly posted videos on Discord, TikTok, and Instagram in which he donned official-style equipment and pretended to be a deputy.
What specifically alarmed authorities was Allen’s internet contact with Natalie Rupnow, the 15-year-old who had carried out a school shooting in Wisconsin last year that killed two individuals before turning the weapon on herself. During those interactions, authorities say Allen spoke about his own intentions to do harm, naming seven possible targets, among them a church and a police station.
The FBI first reported Allen to local officials about five weeks ago. PBSO deputies moved quickly after being briefed on new information last week, obtaining a search warrant and arresting Allen before he was able to carry out any of his schemes.
He is currently charged with a host of offenses, including issuing written threats to commit a mass shooting, impersonation of a law enforcement officer, and unlawful use of a communications device.
