WILTON MANORS, Fla. – New photos obtained by Local 10 show police arresting a man who allegedly brought a loaded gun to the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride festival on Saturday.
Police said Michael Monheit, 31, of Loxahatchee, attempted to make his way into the parade. They say he ignored commands to stop from security after a metal detector went off, leading them to call police.
Terry Dyer, a witness, watched it all unfold.
“(He) and his friend were right in front of us,” Dyer said. “The officer came over and took the guy over, next thing we know, all the police swarmed. Someone said gun.”
Dyer added, “He seemed really cool, calm, collected, right? He didn’t seem like (anything) was wrong. He was just like, ‘Yeah, I have it, so what?’ Like, no big deal, which also was a little alarming.”
According to an arrest report, Monheit was not only found with a loaded firearm but with two additional loaded magazines.
“We’re not really sure what his motive was, what his intentions were,” said Detective Bonnie Owens of the Wilton Manors Police Department.
Monheit also did not possess a valid concealed weapons license. Police say records revealed he did have a license in the past, but it was revoked due to Monheit being Baker Acted.
In bond court on Sunday, Monheit faced a judge and was ordered not to carry any weapons, to surrender any he may have, and to undergo a mental health evaluation.
“Thank heavens nothing did happen and the police reacted, like I said, swiftly,” Dyer said.
This was the first year festival organizers used metal detectors as part of efforts to enhance security.
The suspect’s background check revealed no arrests in Broward or Miami-Dade counties, but there is an arrest for criminal mischief in Palm Beach County back in 2016.