PHOENIX – A man armed with multiple guns at Phoenix Comicon is now in police custody.<\/p>\n
Police say 31-year-old Mathew Sterling was taken into custody Thursday afternoon for allegedly posting on social media that he planned to kill Phoenix police officers and a performer at the event.<\/p>\n
According to officials, the post included pictures of officers that the suspect took at Comicon.<\/p>\n
When officers located the suspect inside of the Phoenix Convention Center, he had three handguns, a shotgun, knives and ammunition on his person, officials said. He was also wearing body armor.<\/p>\n
According to officials, the man was taking pictures of officers and was found at Comicon with three handguns and one shotgun. He also had knives and ammunition.<\/p>\n
Police say the man was inside the Phoenix Convention Center and struggled with officers before he was detained.<\/p>\n
Sterling has been booked on the following charges:\u00a0attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, wearing body armor during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.<\/p>\n
During a Thursday afternoon press conference, Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said Phoenix police will be updating security at the facility, including additional screening, as well as fewer accessible entrances to the building.<\/p>\n
The most notable one is that no weapons of any kind will be allowed into the convention. That includes costume props, no matter what it is made out of.<\/p>\n
Related: 4 Phoenix Comicon changes you need to know about<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Big security changes for @PhoenixComicon<\/a>: \u2014 Josh Frigerio, ABC15 (@JoshFrigerio) May 25, 2017<\/a>Phoenix Comicon released a statement late Thursday on the incident, including changes to “Con on 3rd” and where to pick up registration station badges.<\/p>\n
\n– No weapons, prop weapons of any kind allowed
\n– Added security screening
\n– More officers present<\/p>\n