Man going to gay parade had three assault rifles

A man from Indiana had three assault rifles and chemicals for making explosives in his car when he was arrested in Southern California, more than 3,000km from home. He was headed to a gay pride parade.

Santa Monica police and the FBI are examining the intentions of James Wesley Howell, 20, who told police he was going to LA Pride in West Hollywood, which annually draws hundreds of thousands of people.

His arrest came just hours after 50 people were shot and killed in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, though police said they had found no evidence of a connection.