Man Behind Coachella Bombing Threat Arrested After Tip from Agua Caliente Casino

Authorities have arrested a 40-year-old Santa Monica man after he made threats to bomb the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, one of the largest and most popular music events in the United States. While the suspect did not have any explosive materials at hand, police are thoroughly investigating the case to ensure that tragedies like the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting do not repeat.

All Is Well That Ends Well

The suspect, D.D., was arrested in Palm Springs on Saturday after a report by the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City, some 17 miles from the festival grounds. The Cathedral City Police Department said the suspect approached the security team at the casino and stated that he would “be responsible for a bombing” at the nearby festival.

After the shocking declaration, casino security quickly called the local police. Officers used DMV records to identify the suspect’s Tesla and began a valley-wide search. Fortunately, the incident did not disrupt the event or cause unnecessary panic. Coachella security staff remain vigilant and do thorough checks on visitors to help prevent any incidents.

Law enforcement officers leveraged Flock ALPR (automated license plate recognition) technology to track the suspect’s movements along the Coachella Valley. Police eventually located his Tesla in Palm Springs shortly before midnight and took D.D. into custody without incident. A full search of the vehicle revealed no weapons, explosives, or bomb-making materials, according to police.

Authorities Remain Wary of Threats

The arrest occurred on the first weekend of Coachella. The second part of the festival will run on April 18-21. Featuring headlining performers Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, Green Day, Post Malone, and Megan Thee Stallion, Coachella draws over 125,000 attendees per day to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, leading to massive crowds spread over a large area.

This incident comes amid growing nationwide concerns over public safety at large-scale gatherings. Last month, a former American soldier detonated an explosive device outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, injuring several but causing no fatalities. That attack renewed fears of domestic terrorism and underscored the risks facing high-profile events like Coachella.

D.D. is currently held at the Riverside County Jail on a $1 million bail. He could face trial for making a terroristic threat, punishable by 3 years behind bars. However, no charges have been filed against him as of April 13. With the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting tragedy still in public memory, authorities are taking every threat seriously, even those that do not materialize.