The Wilton Manors Police Department says Michael Monheit, 31, of Loxahatchee, walked through the metal detectors at the east security checkpoint at about 8 p.m., when the alarm went off, and he ignored multiple security orders to stop.
After he ignored additional demands from police officers to stop, they detained him and found a loaded firearm with additional loaded magazines.
"Law enforcement continues to investigate this incident to learn about Monheit's motive and intentions, which is unknown at this time," the department said in a post on Instagram.
Monheit faces one count of unlawful carry of a concealed firearm and one count of trespassing, according to the news release. The town's annual Pride festival added enhanced security measures, including metal detectors at all entrances and bag restrictions. Regulations prohibited firearms and weapons.
"It's very concerning that someone would attempt to introduce a firearm into our Stonewall Festival," Wilton Manors commissioner Paul Rdolli said in a statement to New Times. "The safety and security of all in attendance is our priority, and it is clear that our police department’s operational plan with enhanced security measures worked."
According to Palm Beach County court records, Monheit was arrested in September 2016 and charged with criminal mischief after he hit the security gate at the gated community where he lived in Boynton Beach and drove off. Court documents reveal that during his arrest, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office officer seized his 9mm pistol.
Additionally, the community's homeowners association sued Monheit in 2016, alleging that he violated rules by "deliberately dumping garbage onto his driveway," "driving in a dangerous and reckless manner at high rates of speed," targeting and "nearly hitting pedestrians in the community," and firing "one or more handguns, rifles, shotguns, BB guns, pellet guns, or paint guns outside his home and within the community," and brandishing "his firearm at the association's maintenance personnel in a deliberate attempt to intimidate and scare such individual."
The association also claimed that his garage door was riddled with bullet holes.
"...and without the Architectural Control Committee's approval, [Monheit] spray-painted his garage door, otherwise defaced the exterior of his garage in such a manner that gives his home the appearance as if it had been vandalized, causing an eyesore," the complaint reads.
