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Drone plot foiled
The FBI disrupted an alleged plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House, prosecutors said, describing plans to use explosive-laden drones and then shoot into a fleeing crowd.
Court documents unsealed Tuesday said the conspirators discussed flying drones loaded with explosives over the crowd and then gunning down fleeing attendees, and the plan was tied to the UFC event held outside the White House over the weekend.
Five people were arrested across the country and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, including Tycen Proper, Daniel K. Eskridge, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas, as the scheme was described as spanning multiple states.
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the operation stopped the attacks, writing, "multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold," and the BBC reported the suspects were identified as Tycen C Proper, 19, along with Bryan Omar Roa, 24, and Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of California, Daniel K Eskridge, 32, of Missouri and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Nebraska.
Targets and encrypted chats
Prosecutors said the plotters aimed to spark panic by striking nearby buildings with explosive-laden drones and firing on "high value targets," and the BBC reported that court filings related to Alvarez said the group allegedly eyed potential targets including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Elon Musk.
The BBC also reported that the plot was discovered through Proper, whose mother called local authorities late on 10 June because she was concerned about his large firearms purchases and what she had seen of his online communication with a group that claimed to be made up of former military members and Christian-based.
In court documents described by CNBC, the alleged plan involved flying small drones carrying explosives near the UFC arena, forcing spectators and "high value targets" to evacuate, and then members of the group would shoot at the fleeing crowd.
CNBC further quoted an FBI affidavit saying the attack was designed to "jumpstart' a revolution in the United States," while the BBC said group members stated that they wanted to "protect the United States, which they believed was headed in the wrong direction".
Security presence and fallout
The alleged plot was tied to the White House South Lawn event where President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday, and the BBC reported an estimated 4,300 people were present for the invite-only event on the South Lawn with another 85,000 able to watch nearby.
“- Published The FBI thwarted a plot targeting Sunday's UFC event at the White House and has arrested five men, the US justice department said on Tuesday”
NBC News reported that law enforcement officials blocked off roads, used fencing to control crowds and deployed hundreds of federal, state and local officers to the crowd of thousands at or near the White House, while the BBC described a "second wave" of attackers allegedly supposed to storm the White House gate.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement on X that his agency "worked closely with the FBI throughout this investigation," and the BBC said the FBI thwarted the plot and arrested five men as the case remained ongoing.
In the same period, President Donald Trump told reporters at the Group of Seven summit in France, "I haven't heard about it," and the BBC said the plot was discovered through Proper after his mother contacted local authorities just days before the high-profile event.
