The FBI foiled an alleged terrorist plot targeting the UFC America 250 event at the White House over the weekend, leading to five arrests so far.
“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region – and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” said FBI Director Kash Patel on X.
The FBI worked in conjunction with the Secret Service to dismantle the alleged plot after first learning of it on June 10.
Fox first reported the details on Tuesday, and their reporting was then reposted by Patel.
The plot allegedly involved a plan by terrorists to use explosive drones to target buildings near the UFC event, cause a mass evacuation, and funnel evacuating crowds towards a sniper team.
Officials told FOX that the terrorists also planned a second wave involving storming the White House.
After the FBI became aware of the plot, they reportedly secured an arrest warrant for Tycen Proper, 19, who was arrested in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Agents arrested Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas in California for their alleged role in the plot and charged them with conspiracy to commit murder.
The other suspects, not named by Fox, were arrested in Missouri and Nebraska. All five suspects were reportedly American citizens.
The criminal complaint obtained by Fox showed that Proper spent $3,000 he received in graduation gifts on weapons and materials for the alleged plot.
He reportedly obtained thousands of rounds of ammunition, and his family handed over his rifle painted with an American flag.
Proper’s father allegedly informed police that he had quit his job to meet with online friends for “missions.” The father first alerted the FBI of his son after his recent purchase and online communications.
Investigators reportedly found a Signal chat in which at least 23 people discussed plans for the attack. Some of the people on the chat reportedly planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to plan the attack.
It is not clear whether any of the other people on the chat will be arrested or charged.
One suspect reportedly told law enforcement that the goal of the plan was to hurt capitalist elites, billionaires, and recipients of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) political funds.
