A Nevada woman accused of repeatedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting in Las Vegas has been indicted on 34 felony charges after investigators allegedly found dozens of firearms, including machine guns, rocket launchers, and other military-style weapons.
Allison Howlett, 36, appeared in court this week and pleaded not guilty to the charges. She remains jailed on $500,000 bail, with her trial scheduled to begin on Oct. 12.
According to court records, Howlett faces charges including making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism, assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, 20 counts of grand larceny of a firearm, eight counts of possession of a machine gun or silencer, and three counts of possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun.
Investigation Began After Wife Called 911
The investigation started on June 27 when Howlett’s spouse, Julie Howlett, contacted 911 to report that Allison had allegedly stolen her Subaru WRX, which contained more than 20 firearms.
Julie told dispatchers she was transporting the firearms out of state as part of her work as a licensed firearms dealer. During the emergency call, she also warned authorities that Allison had repeatedly talked about carrying out a mass shooting and had discussed provoking police into killing her in what she described as a “suicide by cop.”
Domestic Dispute Escalated
According to Julie, the confrontation began after she discovered Allison had allegedly been making unauthorized purchases using her credit card.
She said Allison entered the room carrying a handgun, pointed it at her, and allegedly pulled the trigger during the confrontation.
Julie said she managed to wrestle the firearm away before Allison fled the home.
After running outside, Julie said she unloaded the handgun while Allison drove away in the Subaru.
Investigators Uncovered Months of Alleged Threats
According to an arrest report, investigators learned that the alleged threats stretched back to January 2024.
Police reviewed recorded conversations in which Allison allegedly made repeated references to committing a future mass shooting.
In one conversation, investigators say she warned that if federal authorities did not arrest her, “hundreds of people” could lose their lives in a future attack.
During another recorded conversation lasting approximately 38 minutes, Julie allegedly asked Allison whether she intended to exchange gunfire with police.
According to investigators, Allison replied that officers would end up shooting her instead.
Allegedly Threatened Las Vegas Strip
Authorities also allege Allison made additional disturbing statements over the past year.
According to the arrest report, she sometimes wore body armor, carried a rifle, and asked Julie to drive her to a homeless shelter while allegedly suggesting she wanted to shoot homeless individuals.
Investigators further claim Allison repeatedly threatened to “shoot up the Strip,” referring to the Las Vegas Strip.
Because of the seriousness of the alleged threats, detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Counterterrorism Section joined the investigation.
Arrest at Henderson Casino
Police eventually tracked the stolen Subaru to the parking garage of Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson.
Authorities said Allison refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle. Investigators allege she played loud music and made obscene gestures toward officers.
Police ultimately removed her through the driver ‘s-side window and used a Taser to take her into custody.
Dozens of Weapons Recovered
Investigators reported recovering numerous firearms from both the vehicle and the couple’s residence.
Inside the Subaru, officers allegedly found:
- A handgun near the driver’s seat
- A suppressed B&T TP9 firearm in the back seat
- Approximately 20 additional firearms were stored in the trunk
A subsequent search of the home reportedly uncovered another 26 firearms, including:
- An M2 .50-caliber machine gun
- An M5 rocket launcher
- Multiple rifles equipped with grenade launchers
- Various electronic devices were seized as evidence
Terrorism Charge Added
The charge of making threats concerning an act of terrorism was added after a Clark County grand jury returned the 34-count indictment.
The indictment came only days after Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson publicly stated prosecutors did not yet believe there was enough evidence to support a terrorism charge.
Following the grand jury proceedings, prosecutors moved forward with the additional felony count.
Court Proceedings
Howlett pleaded not guilty during her court appearance on Tuesday and requested a speedy trial.
She remains in custody on $500,000 bail, and her trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 12.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors continue preparing the case involving the alleged threats, recovered weapons, and multiple felony charges.
