A 20-year-old American man has been charged after allegedly planning a mass shooting at a cinema showing The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 this weekend.

The Springfield News Leader reports that Blaec Lammers, from Bolivar, Missouri, is facing charges of first-degree assault, making a terroristic threat and armed criminal action.

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A statement from the Bolivar Police Department said that Lammers was apprehended at a local drive-in after his mother contacted police, saying he had recently purchased weapons and she was concerned he planned to shoot people in a cinema.

She also said the weapons looked similar to those used in an incident in Aurora, Colorado, where 24-year-old James Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 58 at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in July.

Lammers voluntarily agreed to an interview with police and revealed his intention to target people in a Sunday night showing of the final instalment in the vampire series, with a possible move to attack people in a local Wal-mart.

He admitted to buying a ticket to the screening and purchasing 400 rounds of ammunition, alongside two assault rifles.

The firearms were obtained legally, but Lammers had never fired a gun prior to the alleged plot. An investigation is now under way to ascertain how he obtained a permit for the rifles.

Bolivar police chief Steve Hamilton told The AP that Lammers is currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition. Court documents suggest he was "off his medication" at the time of arrest.

He added: "Thankfully we had a responsible family member or we might have had a different outcome."

Lammers is being held on $500,000 (Â£315,000) bond and is expected to face a court hearing on Wednesday.

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