An Arizona man, Mark Adams Prieto, was indicted today for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta, Georgia. The plot was foiled when Prieto sold weapons to an undercover federal agent, believing the agent would assist in carrying out the plan. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the efforts of law enforcement to prevent such tragedies.
Prieto, 58, from Prescott, Arizona, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of firearms trafficking, transferring a firearm for use in a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm. According to the indictment, Prieto began recruiting for his plan at a gun show where he met an undercover FBI agent and an informant.
Plans for the mass shooting began as early as October 2023, with Prieto discussing his intentions over several months at various gun shows across Arizona. He expressed a desire to incite a race war ahead of the U.S. Presidential election by targeting minorities at the State Farm Arena. Prieto specifically mentioned a rap concert in Atlanta on May 14 as the best target, coinciding with performances by rapper Bad Bunny on May 14-15.
Prieto sold two rifles to an undercover FBI agent as part of his preparations. The initial source who tipped off the FBI had spoken to Prieto over three years, with conversations escalating from small talk and political discussions to advocating for mass shootings targeting Blacks, Muslims, and Jewish people.
Prieto expressed his motivations to the informant, saying, “The reason I say Atlanta. Why, why is Georgia such a messed up state now? When I was a kid, that was one of the most conservative states in the country. Why is it not now? Because as crime got worse in L.A., St. Louis, and all these other cities—all the [n-words] moved out of those cities and moved to Atlanta. That’s why it isn’t so great anymore.”
Prieto intended to target a rap concert due to the high concentration of African American attendees. His plan included leaving Confederate flags at the scene and shouting racist slogans to provoke further racial tensions.
Authorities arrested Prieto in New Mexico on May 14 while he was driving east from Arizona, around the time of the Atlanta concert. Seven firearms were found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest. A New Mexico judge ordered Prieto to remain in federal custody, citing the extreme seriousness of danger to the community.
