An Arizona man plotted to target Black people in a mass shooting this spring with the goal of inciting a “race war” before the 2024 election, a federal grand jury charged this week.
Mark Prieto, 58, of Prescott, Ariz., made plans to carry out the attack in Atlanta, hoping to target African Americans and other non-White people, according to the indictment. From January to May, he allegedly discussed the idea with people who he believed to share his racist beliefs — but who turned out to be an FBI source and an FBI undercover agent.
Prieto made the plans with them during meetups at gun shows across Arizona, fixating on the racist messages he wanted to send and the desire to “fight back” against Black, Jewish and Muslim people, according to the criminal complaint.
He “wanted it clear that the attack was racially motivated,” FBI Special Agent Ryan Harp wrote in the complaint. Prieto allegedly said he planned to leave Confederate flags at the shooting venue and to shout phrases including “Black lives don’t matter, White lives matter.”
Mark Prieto, 58, of Prescott, Ariz., made plans to carry out the attack in Atlanta, hoping to target African Americans and other non-White people, according to the indictment. From January to May, he allegedly discussed the idea with people who he believed to share his racist beliefs — but who turned out to be an FBI source and an FBI undercover agent.
Prieto made the plans with them during meetups at gun shows across Arizona, fixating on the racist messages he wanted to send and the desire to “fight back” against Black, Jewish and Muslim people, according to the criminal complaint.
He “wanted it clear that the attack was racially motivated,” FBI Special Agent Ryan Harp wrote in the complaint. Prieto allegedly said he planned to leave Confederate flags at the shooting venue and to shout phrases including “Black lives don’t matter, White lives matter.”
