RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Police in Richmond, Virginia, stated Wednesday that they thwarted a deliberate July four mass capturing after receiving a tip that led to the arrest of two males and the seizure of a number of weapons — an announcement that got here simply two days after a lethal mass capturing on the vacation in a Chicago suburb.

A “hero citizen” overheard a dialog indicating there was an assault being deliberate on an Independence Day celebration within the capital metropolis and known as police to report it, Police Chief Gerald Smith stated at a information convention. The caller stated the assault was deliberate for the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater, the place an annual fireworks present is held, Smith stated.

“One cellphone name saved quite a few lives on the Fourth of July,” Smith stated.

Police initiated an investigation together with the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety and the FBI, which led to the arrests of two males on prices of being non-U.S. residents in possession of a firearm, Smith stated. He stated further prices are potential.

Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, was arrested on July 1, the identical day police obtained the tip, Smith stated. He stated police put a second suspect, Rolman Alberto Balacarcel, 38, beneath surveillance starting that day, however didn’t initially have possible trigger to arrest him. He was arrested Tuesday in Albemarle County, close to Charlottesville, and was being held in an area jail.

Police spokesperson Tracy Walker stated each males are from Guatemala. Preliminary paperwork filed in Normal District Court docket in Richmond say each Alvarado-Dubon and Balacarcel usually are not within the U.S. legally. The paperwork stated Alvarado-Dubon has an expired visa. The paperwork didn’t embrace any particulars concerning the alleged plot.

Smith stated the 2 males lived collectively at a Richmond home, the place officers seized two assault rifles, a handgun and a whole lot of rounds of ammunition that had been in plain view. He stated police haven’t decided a motive for the deliberate assault.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who joined the information convention together with members of the town council, decried what he known as an epidemic of gun violence throughout the nation.

“Whether or not you’re at dwelling in your cul-de-sac, or in your neighborhood, or in a park, or at a parade, out eating — it’s a must to maintain your head on a swivel,” Stoney stated. “And that’s not the nation that I do know I need to dwell in … however these are the details of the matter at this second.”

Court docket paperwork notice bond was set at $15,000 for Alvarado-Dubon on Wednesday, nevertheless it was unclear if he had been launched. The paperwork say he has lived within the Richmond space for 3 years and works full time within the development business. He has a preliminary listening to scheduled in Richmond on Aug. 2.

On-line information confirmed Balacarcel was in custody in an area jail. It wasn’t instantly clear if he had an legal professional who might converse on his behalf.

The obvious thwarted plot was deliberate for a similar day {that a} gunman opened hearth from a rooftop throughout a Fourth of July parade within the prosperous Chicago suburb of Highland Park, killing seven folks and injuring greater than three dozen.

Robert E. Crimo III was charged with seven counts of homicide Tuesday. The capturing despatched a whole lot of individuals fleeing in concern and set off an hourslong manhunt. Authorities haven’t but recognized a motive in that capturing.