A Georgia man accused of carrying a gun and ammunition into a Pennsylvania movie theater now faces a federal charge, officials say.
William D. Gossett, 21, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, according to U.S. Department of Justice officials.
“This case is a direct result of community vigilance,” U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton said in a news release.
The Covington man was carrying a loaded semi-automatic handgun and a box of ammunition in a backpack as he walked around the Cinemark theater in Center Township, Pennsylvania, about 7 p.m. July 23.
Gossett told police that he was at the theater to see "The Purge" movie.
Joyce Gilbert went to see the movie Saturday night and was sitting in the first row upon entering the theater. She believes that if Gossett hadn’t been arrested she would not be alive.
"I know I would've been the first one shot. I'm just so glad and happy that I'm alive and able to talk to you," Gilbert told WPXI.
Police said the gun was stolen from Ohio.
Gossett was convicted of two felonies in Georgia and is not licensed to carry a firearm.
RELATED: 52 items seized from backpack of man arrested with gun at movie theater
A search warrant revealed that 52 items were seized from Gossett’s bag. In addition to the gun and ammo, police found a respirator, two cans of black spray paint, gloves, black tape, electric cords, two first aid kits and a handwritten note.
There's a "real possibility" he brought the stolen gun and ammunition into the movie theater and planned to shoot it up, a prosecutor previously told The Associated Press.
Gossett faces a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
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