Crime · updated 1h ago · 3 min read
Texas DPS And FBI Arrest Benny Caldera Jr. Over Threat To Attack Texas State Capitol
Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was arrested at his Converse home by DPS SWAT. Credible information indicated a planned violent attack on the Texas Capitol.
Planned date differs: Thursday vs Oct 1.
11 of 12 outlets skipped it: mentioned motives: anger over Palestinian cause and drugs.
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Same story, two versions
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ABC News
“The alleged attack was to occur on Thursday, according to the notice and Texas DPS.”Read the original ↗
One outlet frames it as 'Thursday', another specifies 'Oct. 1'.
Capitol Plot Thwarted
Texas authorities took Benny Caldera Jr., 40, into custody after Texas Department of Public Safety officials said they received credible information about a person planning a violent attack on the Texas State Capitol in Austin for Thursday.
Texas Department of Public Safety said it learned of the threat Tuesday evening and that DPS SWAT arrested the “main suspect” at his residence in Converse, Texas, at around 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to ABC News.A
Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw told state senators in a notice that “The investigation is ongoing, and there is and will continue to be an enhanced DPS presence at the Capitol,” and the FBI and local partners worked through the night with DPS Criminal Investigations Division special agents.
NBC News reported that Caldera was charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant and that he was transported to the Bexar County jail after the arrest.
The Texas State Capitol remained open during regular operating hours, and Texas DPS said it would maintain an increased presence at the Capitol to protect employees, visitors and state officials.
Threat Details and Quotes
An official briefed on the investigation told ABC News that Caldera allegedly had been threatening to conduct a mass shooting at the Texas Capitol on Thursday and had been collecting ammo and had guns. Caldera’s friend told officers that Caldera said, “I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up,” according to an arrest warrant affidavit described by NBC News. Caldera’s friend also told officers that Caldera said, “I love you, if you don’t see me again,” and the arrest documents described Caldera explaining that he was going to the Capitol, according to NBC News.
NBC News reported that arrest documents further state that Caldera told his friend he was angry at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and that “these people have to be exterminated.” FBI Director Kash Patel commended the investigation, calling the work of Texas DPS “outstanding,” and Patel posted, “Threaten Americans or our institutions and law enforcement will move FAST,” according to ABC News.A
Bond, Ongoing Probe
Texas DPS confirmed that Caldera was later released on a $75,000 bond, and Texas DPS said the investigation remains ongoing.
“‘They don’t know anything about motive, who, what, when, where, yet,’ Bettencourt said.”
Texas DPS said it worked with the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate the validity of the threat and the circumstances surrounding the planned attack, and DPS said it would continue to have an increased presence at the Capitol.
Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw’s notice to state senators said the threat was not cause for concern, but she wanted to let Senate members know, and the notice also said enhanced DPS presence would continue.
Houston Public Media reported that a memo sent to members of the Texas Senate said the threat was initiated by one main suspect and several co-conspirators, while Texas DPS said it did not know motive, who, what, when, where.
Texas DPS and the FBI stopped a planned attack on the Texas Capitol, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, “Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol,” as authorities continued to ask the public to report suspicious activity through iWatchTexas.