In brief
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has thwarted a terror plot aimed at the White House during a UFC event, arresting five men across four states. The plan involved deploying explosive‑laden drones to strike nearby buildings and sniping high‑value targets, including President Trump, the Vice President, and other officials. The group allegedly used TikTok to coordinate and targeted wealthy politicians, claiming grievances over government corruption. Prosecutors charged the suspects with conspiracy to murder, with maximum sentences of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The preliminary hearing is set for June 29.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Tuesday that it has successfully disrupted a terror plot that aimed to attack the White House during a UFC event held on Sunday.
Officials say the group planned to use explosive‑laden drones to strike buildings near the South Lawn, followed by snipers to target “high‑value” individuals such as President Donald Trump, Vice‑President J.D. Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Five men were arrested in Ohio, California, Missouri and Nebraska and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The suspects, including 19‑year‑old Tycen C. Proper, 24‑year‑old Bryan Omar Roa, 32‑year‑old Michael Alan Thomas, 32‑year‑old Daniel K. Eskridge and 31‑year‑old Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, face potential life sentences and a $250,000 fine.
Proper’s mother reported his recent large firearms purchases and online activity to authorities on June 10, just days before the event. Prosecutors say the group was organized through a TikTok community called "Vanguard of the Old" and that they circulated maps marking sniper positions, drone launch points and power‑grid targets.
The FBI confirmed it had stopped the plan “cold” and posted a brief statement on social media. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 29.
The UFC matches coincided with President Trump’s 80th birthday and came two months after a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner and one month after a Secret Service shooting incident.
