A Tennessee man is dealing with federal costs after allegedly brandishing a firearm at protesters earlier this month, with prosecutors expressing issues about his “want to commit an act of mass violence,” in keeping with court docket paperwork.
Elijah Millar, 19, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was charged Friday with illegal possession of a firearm, the Justice Division introduced. He faces as much as 15 years in federal jail and a most effective of $250,000 if convicted.
In accordance with prosecutors, Millar, wearing all-black clothes and sporting a masks, confronted demonstrators at a “No Kings” protest close to Nashville’s Bicentennial Mall on June 14.
Witnesses reported that Millar spat at protesters, yelled at them, and brandished a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol earlier than being apprehended by Metropolitan Nashville Police Division officers, the DOJ mentioned.
Simply three days after being launched on bond, Millar was arrested once more when Murfreesboro Police Division officers found one other loaded 9mm firearm in his waistband, authorities mentioned.
Elijah Millar, 19, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was federally charged, June 20, 2025.
Murfreesboro Police Division
Court docket paperwork mentioned Millar was beforehand topic to a 2023 emergency conservatorship order in Rutherford County, Tennessee, which prohibited him from possessing firearms after discovering he was “liable to substantial hurt to his well being, security, and welfare.”
A subsequent order in September 2024 designated him as a “disabled particular person needing care” and additional restricted his entry to firearms.
“The appropriate to peaceably protest authorities motion is assured by the First Modification and can’t be infringed upon by armed people whose actions put folks in peril,” mentioned Appearing United States Legal professional Robert E. McGuire.
Individuals exhibit throughout a “No Kings” protest, June 14, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
On Sunday, prosecutors urged the court docket to maintain Millar in custody, citing social media posts and on-line exercise that prompt “a want to commit an act of mass violence.”
The incident comes amid heightened tensions at “No Kings” protests nationwide. In a separate incident on the identical day in Utah, a protest turned lethal when a security volunteer by accident shot and killed a demonstrator whereas responding to a different armed particular person who allegedly approached the gang with a rifle.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Nashville Discipline Workplace, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Division, and the Murfreesboro Police Division.
ABC Information’ Alexander Mallin contributed to this report.
