FBI Stops Terror Attack on UFC White House Event

FBI disrupts alleged explosive-drone plot targeting White House UFC event, officials say - Ohio Mom Reports Son to Police

FIRST ON FOX: The FBI and its law enforcement partners disrupted an alleged plot targeting this weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., officials told Fox News Digital.

Five people were in custody as of Monday, and investigators identified 23 people as part of a potential network of plotters. The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation and steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team, officials said.

A "second wave" was then allegedly planned to storm the White House gate, according to officials.

The FBI first learned of the threat on June 10 and worked with partners to secure probable cause for an arrest in Cincinnati, where one suspect was taken into custody. Court documents identified the suspect as 19-year-old Tycen Proper.

Tycen Proper, 19, was arrested in connection to the alleged plot to target UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C. over the weekend. (Franklin County Sheriff's Office)

According to a criminal complaint, Proper allegedly spent $3,000 of his "graduation money" to purchase "lots of" ammunition, guns, extra magazines and other items for the alleged attack.

Authorities estimated that several boxes of ammunition that Proper had allegedly acquired contained thousands of rounds. It is also alleged that Proper acquired an AR-style rifle, a bullpup rifle painted with the American flag and two plate carriers with AR-style magazines. His family voluntarily turned over the equipment to law enforcement.

Tycen Proper allegedly acquired an AR-style rifle and a bullpup rifle painted with the American flag, officials said. (Department of Justice)

His father told officers that Proper had quit his job to meet up with people he had met online to conduct "missions" and "recons," according to the complaint. It said that Proper's mother had first alerted authorities over concerns about his recent alleged firearm purchases and communications with individuals online.

Proper also allegedly acquired several boxes of ammunition, estimated to be thousands of rounds, and two plate carriers with AR-style magazines, officials said. (Department of Justice)

Two others, identified as Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas, were arrested in California for alleged involvement in the plot. Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. They appeared in court on Monday in Riverside.

Daniel K. Eskridge, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, of Omaha, Nebraska, were also arrested.

Court documents say Eskridge's wife told investigators he described himself as a recruiter for the group and had amassed tactical gear, including a rifle, ammunition and other equipment, in recent months. She also said he built a firearms range on his property about three weeks before his arrest and that she was aware of his Signal communications through messages that appeared on a shared tablet.

Alvarez allegedly operated under the online moniker "Shepherd" and served as a key organizer of the plot, using a Signal chat to direct staging locations, sniper and drone positions, escape routes and communications protocols," according to court documents. Prosecutors say he also discussed coordinating with other groups and urged participants to obtain additional explosive-capable drones, writing: "As many and as deadly as we can get."

Multiple sources told Fox News that those in custody are American citizens, and a foreign nexus was not involved.

The U.S. Secret Service said it "worked closely" with the FBI during the investigation.
 

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