A person accused of plotting a “violent assault” on the Texas Capitol in Austin is in custody after state authorities say they obtained a tip concerning the alleged menace and labored via the evening to trace down a suspect.
The Texas State Division of Public Security and the FBI thwarted a “credible menace” in opposition to the state capitol, based on a discover despatched to Texas state senators Wednesday and reviewed by ABC Information. The alleged assault was to happen on Thursday, based on the discover and Texas DPS.
Texas DPS stated it discovered of the menace Tuesday night. Particular brokers labored alongside the FBI and native companions earlier than arresting 40-year-old Benny Caldera Jr., whom it known as the “predominant suspect,” at his residence in Converse, Texas, at round 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Caldera was transported to the Bexar County jail and has been charged with felony terroristic menace in opposition to a public servant, based on Texas DPS.
The Texas State Capitol constructing is seen in Austin, Texas, Sept. 3, 2026.
Eric Homosexual/AP Photograph
In response to an official briefed on the investigation, the suspect had allegedly been threatening to conduct a mass capturing on the Texas Capitol on Thursday and had been amassing ammo and had weapons.
Authorities had been notified by individuals who knew the person that he has been rising extra indignant and doubtlessly violent just lately, the official stated. Neither Caldera nor his spouse are cooperating with the probe at this level, the official stated, however different members of the family and colleagues are speaking to investigators.
In latest weeks, the suspect had voiced anger over the state and route of the nation and the Palestinian trigger, amongst different issues, the official stated. He additionally allegedly had been doing medication extra closely.
Investigators are working to acquire search warrants for the suspect’s gadgets to find out if he had any accomplices or co-conspirators and what significance Thursday’s date has, based on the official.
FBI Director Kash Patel recommended the investigation, calling the work of Texas DPS “excellent.”
“Threaten People or our establishments and legislation enforcement will transfer FAST,” he stated in a submit on social media.
Within the discover to state senators, Texas State Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw stated the alleged menace was not trigger for concern however that she needed to let members learn about it.
“The investigation is ongoing, and there may be and can proceed to be an enhanced DPS presence on the Capitol,” Spaw wrote within the discover.
