The Las Vegas community treats threats of mass violence with heightened vigilance, especially after the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Authorities expanded the investigation into a counterterrorism case after receiving alleged threats and discovering a large cache of weapons.
The suspect now faces 35 criminal counts, including threats related to terrorism, assault with a deadly weapon, grand larceny of a vehicle, 22 counts of firearm grand larceny, multiple weapons offenses involving machine guns, suppressors and short‑barreled rifles, and resisting a public officer while armed.
A Clark County judge set bail at $500,000.
The probe began when Julie Howlett called 911 to report that her spouse had taken her vehicle and threatened a mass shooting.
Julie later explained that the 22 guns recovered from the stolen vehicle were part of her inventory as a licensed gun dealer preparing to transport them out of state.
The confrontation started after she discovered Allison using her credit card without permission; Julie said she wrestled a firearm away after Allison allegedly pulled the trigger.
Investigators believe the firearms recovered from the vehicle belonged to the spouse and are still determining how the weapons were acquired, whether they were legally possessed, and their role in the case.
Police allege that similar threats date back to January 2024, including a recorded statement warning of a future mass shooting if the FBI did not arrest the suspect.
Undersheriff Andrew Walsh warned that the window between threat and action can close within days or hours, underscoring the rapid escalation potential of violent threats.
In a recorded interview, the suspect denied planning any mass shooting or threatening anyone, stating that she and Julie had been married for four years, were both transitioning, and that online accusations on a communications platform were false.
She also asserted that all her personally owned firearms had been legally transferred to Julie through an ATF‑approved process.
Walsh urged anyone hearing credible threats of violence, especially in domestic situations, to report them immediately, emphasizing that early intervention offers the best chance to prevent tragedy.
As the city prepares for Fourth of July celebrations, law‑enforcement agencies remain on heightened alert and credit coordinated efforts among local police, the metropolitan department, the FBI and regional partners for averting a potential mass casualty attack.
Both the metropolitan police department and the FBI field office declined to provide additional comments beyond the statements made at the press conference.
