By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Nineteen-year-old Elijah Millar, already under FBI scrutiny, was arrested at Nashville’s “No Kings” protest for brandishing a handgun and engaging in aggressive, hateful speech towards protestors. Millar’s social media history reveals a disturbing fascination with mass murderers and Nazi ideology, including expressions of admiration for several perpetrators of mass violence. Prior to the arrest, Murfreesboro police had confiscated firearms from Millar following an FBI tip regarding his online activities. Despite his release on bond, the ongoing investigation continues to monitor Millar’s concerning online behavior.
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An armed man, Elijah Millar, was arrested at Nashville’s “No Kings” protest, an event that quickly revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior indicative of a dangerous ideology. His arrest wasn’t a random incident; it stemmed from a long-standing fascination with Nazism and mass murderers, placing him firmly on the radar of law enforcement.
Millar’s actions at the protest were far from subtle. Dressed in black, face covered, and carrying a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag alongside a handgun, he engaged in aggressive counter-protesting, shouting hateful slurs at attendees and brandishing his weapon. This wasn’t a spontaneous outburst; it was the culmination of a troubling online presence.
His social media activity paints a chilling picture. Millar openly expressed admiration for notorious mass murderers, referring to the victims of the 2011 Norway attacks as “race traitors” and praising the Buffalo supermarket shooter. He even mimicked the Christchurch shooter’s weapon markings, adding his own white supremacist messages. This wasn’t just casual fascination; it was an active engagement with and celebration of violent extremist ideologies.
The authorities weren’t oblivious to Millar’s disturbing behavior. Murfreesboro police visited his home in April, prompted by a tip from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force regarding his online activities. While police seized firearms and ammunition, Millar’s subsequent posts revealed a continued fascination with weaponry and right-wing extremism, despite these warnings. His release on bond following the Nashville incident raises serious concerns.
His history extends beyond these recent events. A previous report listed him as missing, described as “autistic but high functioning.” This detail, however, doesn’t excuse his actions. While his mental state might be a factor, it doesn’t negate the dangerous nature of his ideology and actions, nor does it diminish the serious threats he posed to public safety.
The nonchalant way some are dismissing his Nazi salute as merely a “stiff-arm salute” is deeply concerning. This act, coupled with his hateful rhetoric and admiration for mass murderers, paints a clear picture: Millar is not merely someone with “a fascination” with Nazis; he is a fervent follower, actively celebrating violence and hate. The fact that he’s out on bail, after expressing such open admiration for mass murderers and possessing a handgun, highlights a potential failure in risk assessment and highlights the urgent need for stricter measures regarding individuals espousing violent extremist views.
The incident underscores a broader issue: the growing prevalence of right-wing extremism and the challenges in effectively addressing it. While law enforcement took action in this specific case, the persistent online activity, the clear display of Nazi sympathies, and the lack of more severe consequences raises questions about the effectiveness of current preventative measures. The ease with which someone with a history of such extreme views, open admiration for mass murderers, and direct threats can obtain firearms and be released on bond is a serious cause for concern, reflecting a larger issue within the justice system’s handling of such cases.
Millar’s case isn’t an isolated incident, but rather a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by individuals who harbor such ideologies. The casual way some dismiss his behavior speaks to a larger failure to fully grapple with the threat posed by right-wing extremism, and the importance of proactive measures to identify and address individuals who exhibit such dangerous tendencies before they escalate into acts of violence. His release on bond sends a dangerous message, suggesting that expressing admiration for mass murderers and brandishing weapons at protests might not carry sufficient consequences. The ongoing investigation should be thorough and the outcome should reflect the severity of the situation.