While tens of thousands blissfully partied and paraded, security at Stonewall Pride was keeping a vigilant eye and making a key arrest.
Wilton Manors Police Department says around 8 p.m., just as the parade was getting started, a man walked through an entrance and set off alarms in the metal detectors. Guards told him to stop, but the man, now identified as Michael Monheit, ignored them and kept going.
Law enforcement quickly chased him down and found a loaded gun and additional ammunition on him. Monheit is charged with trespassing and carrying a concealed firearm.
His motives are unclear, and has not said why he brought a gun or ignored security. The Sun-Sentinel reports Monheit’s concealed carry permit was revoked after he was committed under the Baker Act, a law allowing people to be held in a mental hospital for up to 72 hours.
This is the first year metal detectors were used at Stonewall Pride. You may not have seen them, as they allow multiple people to pass through at one time.
Wilton Manors City Commissioner Paul Rolli said, “Fortunately, all the security systems in place were working as intended — metal detectors and communication devices between hired security and Police.”
Multiple agencies from Broward County worked the festival alongside WMPD.
As part of its title sponsorship, the city gave $50,000 to Stonewall organizers for security including metal detectors, which cost about $30,000.
“Our Police Dept and the City Commission's sponsorship for Safety & security was money well spent this past Saturday,” Commissioner Don D’Arminio wrote. “The security and metal detectors caught a man trying to enter the festival with a loaded weapon. He was arrested and is being investigated.”