WASHINGTON -- Just days after his arrest, a D.C. man police said stockpiled guns, swords, and other weapons in his apartment was in court on Friday. Tyler Froatz, 24, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly assaulting a woman during an immigration rally in Meridian Hill Park.
Police said they searched Froatz and found weapons on him and in his vehicle.
But, authorities said, their most startling discovery was made at Froatz's apartment on Eighth Street in Northwest. Police said they found more than a dozen rifles, handguns, swords, a bow-and-arrow set, a machete and nearly 3,000 rounds of ammunition.
Police said they also found fuse cords that could be used to ignite explosives and a device investigators described as a grenade launcher.
"All of this is coming as a big surprise to all of us," said Kristinn Taylor, Froatz's friend.
Taylor said he was in court on Friday to show Froatz support.
Froatz is a leader of a local conservative group that rallies in favor of stronger immigration laws.
Taylor said he met Froatz when he joined the group last August.
"I'd never been to his apartment. We'd see him on Friday nights or at some of our other activities. But he was never carrying any weapons," he said.
Taylor said Tuesday's immigration rally was not attended by any other members.
He said the assault allegations are contrary to the group's code of conduct.
"We have very strict code of conduct, which is no violence, no profanity, no racism, no provocations," said Taylor.
Froatz graduated from Ryder University in New Jersey, News4 reported. Soon after Froatz moved to the District, he attended the University of the District of Columbia for a short time.
Authorities have not revealed when Froatz possibly assembled the arsenal of weapons. The judge said the number of weapons plus the belief that Froatz was looking for trouble at the rally were reasons to keep him in jail without bond.