Phoenix, Arizona – A man from Arizona has been indicted by a federal grand jury for planning a violent attack at a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta in an attempt to incite a race war before the upcoming presidential election. The 58-year-old individual faces charges related to firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm following an investigation conducted by the FBI that led to his arrest last month.
Mark Adams Prieto, currently in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, was under surveillance after a confidential source alerted authorities about his intentions to spark a race war leading up to the presidential election. Authorities began investigating Prieto in October after receiving information that he was advocating for a mass shooting targeting African Americans, Jews, and Muslims.
Prieto, a vendor at gun shows, allegedly discussed wanting to instigate a mass shooting prior to the 2024 election, anticipating martial law enforcement afterwards. The FBI monitored Prieto’s activities from January to March, during which he expressed his desire to conduct a mass shooting at a rap concert in Atlanta, specifically targeting Black individuals. He intended to leave confederate flags at the scene to convey a message of fighting back against non-White individuals.
In preparation for the attack, Prieto sold an AR-15 to an undercover agent and planned to carry it out during Bad Bunny concerts at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. He emphasized the importance of achieving a high body count during the attack. Despite discussing the attack at several gun shows, Prieto claimed that he did not intend to go through with the planned violence.
Following his arrest in New Mexico in May, authorities found multiple firearms, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle, in Prieto’s possession. Each conviction related to firearms trafficking and possession carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, while a conviction for possession of an unregistered firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The spokesperson for Bad Bunny did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation. This incident sheds light on the potential threats posed by individuals with extremist ideologies and the importance of vigilance in preventing acts of violence aimed at inciting hatred and division within society.