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Telephone call prevented another possible Jul. 4 US mass shooting

Washington, Jul 6 (EFE).- A telephone alert received by Richmond Police in Virginia a few days before Independence Day celebrations in the United States, likely prevented another mass shooting, authorities said Wednesday.

In a joint press conference, Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith and the town mayor Levar Stoney said a police operation carried out after receiving the alert resulted in two arrests.

An anonymous informant called the police Friday, three days before the celebrations, and said he had heard a conversation in which someone claimed a mass shooting was being prepared for Jul. 4 at the Dogwood Dell amphitheater in Richmond.

The amphitheater accommodates up to 2,400 people and held an Independence Day celebration Monday.

Police went to a residence in the town after receiving the call and found two assault rifles, a pistol and 223 rounds of ammunition.

The two detainees are not US nationals, they said.

One was arrested Friday, while the second was placed under surveillance and arrested Tuesday.

In addition to Richmond Police, the US Homeland Security Department and the FBI also participated in the operation.

On the same day that the detainees allegedly planned to carry out their shooting, a man fired several rounds of ammunition at Jul. 4 attendees at a parade in Highland Park, north of Chicago, killing seven of them and injuring 39 others.

The 21-year-old suspect, Robert Crimo, will have to face seven charges of first-degree murder and the Prosecutor’s Office will present more indictments in the coming days in relation to the 39 injured people. EFE

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