Q Patriots Blamed for Planning Attack on Philly Convention Center
PHILADELPHIA – Two men were charged Friday afternoon in connection with an alleged plot to attack the Pennsylvania Convention Center where ballots are being counted.
According to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, Joshua Macias, 42, and Antonio Lamotta, 60, both of Chesapeake, Va., have been charged with Concealed Firearm Without a License, a third-degree felony, and Carrying a Firearm on Public Streets or Public Property, a first-degree misdemeanor.
A woman was also with them, but she was not placed under arrest, officials said.
On Thursday, the Philadelphia Police Department received a tip that individuals, armed with firearms, were on their way to the Convention Center area in a silver Hummer truck.
The tip involved a group, possibly a family, who drove up from Virginia, intent on "straightening things out" during the vote count at the Convention Center.
At 10:20 p.m., officers spotted an unoccupied silver Hummer truck parked at 230 North 13th Street and alerted that over police radio.
Minutes later, police said, two bicycle patrol officers discovered Macias and Lamotta.
Police said neither had a valid Pennsylvania permit to carry and were both placed under arrest.
According to authorities, the men said the Hummer was their vehicle.
An additional gun was recovered from the inside the Hummer, police said.
The Philadelphia Police Department investigation is ongoing between the PPD and FBI. No injuries were reported.
On Friday, the Hummer was still on 13th Street near Vine.
The vehicle had a window sticker and a hat with the logo for the internet group QAnon, which is known for spreading conspiracy theories.The FBI has labeled them a domestic terror threat.
At least 24 congressional candidates in this current election have endorsed or given credit to conspiracy theories promoted by the group.
"At this time we do not have indication that the story is bigger than two individuals," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Friday.
https://abc7news.com/philly-police-investigating-alleged-plot-to-attack-pa-convention-center/7689932/