MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO) – A Twin Cities man has been arrested and charged in federal court for possessing a machine gun and trying to buy hand grenades and auto sears from an FBI informant.
According to court documents, the FBI began investigating 27-year-old River Smith, of Savage, after receiving a tip reporting “disturbing behavior” by Smith.
The FBI said their investigation found that Smith was preparing for a violent exchange with police and that he is “pro mass shooting.” They said Smith sympathized with the Parkland school shooter and admired the person charged with the recent shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub.
The FBI also found Smith had access to fully automatic rifles, handguns, suppressors, body armor and a Kevlar helmet.
Court documents allege that Smith said he was preparing to fight the police and was dedicated to dying in that fight.
Smith is charged with one count of possession of a machine gun and one count of attempt to receive and possess destructive devices.
