Alleged Attack on White House UFC Event Prevented
US authorities have announced the disruption of a purported plot to target a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held at the White House last Sunday. The FBI has arrested five men in connection with the alleged scheme, which prosecutors claim involved using explosive-laden drones and snipers to attack nearby buildings and "high-value targets."
The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Tuesday that five suspects were apprehended across four US states and each faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder. The individuals identified are Tycen C Proper, 19, from Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, and Michael Alan Thomas, 32, from California; Daniel K Eskridge, 32, from Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, from Nebraska.
Details of the Alleged Plot
Court documents reveal that the alleged plotters intended to create panic by deploying drones, drawing the fleeing crowd towards a waiting sniper team. A "second wave" of attackers was then supposedly planned to storm the White House gate. The invite-only event on the South Lawn, which coincided with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, hosted approximately 4,300 attendees, with an additional 85,000 spectators nearby.
Prosecutors allege that the group held "ultra-religious and antigovernment sentiments." FBI Director Kash Patel stated on social media that the "multi-state operation" successfully "stopped cold" the planned attacks. Potential targets reportedly included President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Elon Musk, along with several elected officials, although not all attended the UFC event.
Discovery and Investigation
The plot was reportedly uncovered after Proper's mother contacted local authorities on June 10, concerned about his significant firearms purchases and online communications. Proper allegedly admitted to participating in the attack planning during an FBI interview on June 11, stating the group began communicating around March via a TikTok group named "Vanguard of the Old" or "Vanguard of the Old Republic."
Proper indicated that members were primarily recruited through TikTok and, after vetting, moved to encrypted discussions on Signal. Prosecutors stated a main chat included about 19 people, with smaller groups formed based on roles or locations. The group allegedly discussed grievances concerning government corruption, the handling of the Epstein files, and other government actions, believing the US needed to be "torn down so that it could be rebuilt."
Alvarez is accused of planning, organizing, and directing the UFC attack, specifically working on drone aspects. The suspects allegedly distributed maps of Washington, DC, highlighting sniper locations, drone launch points, and potential power grid targets. Some discussions reportedly involved assassinating US lawmakers based on perceived ties to pro-Israel lobbies.
Official Responses and Context
Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn described the incident as a "serious threat" but offered limited details due to the ongoing investigation. He also expressed frustration regarding how the investigation became public. When questioned at the G7 summit, President Trump stated he had not heard about the alleged plot.
Each suspect faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of conspiracy to murder. Proper faces additional charges, including conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds, which carries a maximum penalty of five years. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 29.
This incident occurs amid a reported rise in political violence in the US. Erica Frantz, a professor of political science at Michigan State University, noted that such violence tends to be cyclical and emphasized concern for societal forces driving individuals to extremist views.
Source: Group planned to attack White House UFC event using snipers and drones, FBI says