A potential mass shooting may have been prevented in California after a hotel employee reported a disgruntled colleague who had threatened to shoot everyone he saw in the building, police have said.

Rodolfo Montoya, 37, who worked at the Marriot hotel, Long Beach, was arrested at his home in nearby Huntington Beach, where officers found a stash of weapons and ammunition.

Image: Rodolfo Montoya, 37, worked at the Marriot hotel, Long Beach

The Long Beach Police Department said "multiple firearms" were discovered, including "hundreds of rounds of ammunition and tactical gear, including high-capacity magazines and an assault rifle, which are illegal to possess in California."

Image: Police said an assault rifle was among the weapons discovered

Montoya, a cook at the hotel, south of downtown Los Angeles, was said to be upset about issues with human resources and told a fellow employee about his alleged plans.

Image: The Long Beach Police Department said 'multiple firearms' were discovered

The employee notified hotel staff of the threat, which is when the police became involved.


Chief Robert G Luna at the Long Beach Police Department has praised the worker who raised the alarm, saying the warning had likely saved lives.

Image: Chief of Police at the Long Beach PD, Robert G Luna

"Thank God that employee decided to bring that information forward," he said.

"Montoya had clear plans, intent and the means to carry out an act of violence that may have resulted in a mass casualty incident."

Image: Police said hundreds of rounds of ammunition was discovered at the suspect's home

He was detained on suspicion of various charges, including manufacturing and distributing assault weapons, possession of an assault weapon and making a criminal threat - and is being held on $500,000 (£408,687) bail.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is expected to decide on what charges he may face.

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Luna said Montoya does not appear to have any criminal history that would have prevented him from owning firearms.

The chief said it is unclear how close Montoya was to carrying out his alleged plan and that they are working to determine when and where he acquired the guns and other items.