Suspect Identified in Planned Attack on UFC Freedom 250 Event at the White House
An Ohio man named Theisen Proper has been identified as a suspect in a foiled terrorist plot related to the UFC Freedom 250 event, which was held at the White House on Sunday.
Kash Patel, the FBI Director, confirmed on Tuesday that the agency, alongside local law enforcement, successfully prevented the alleged attack.
The UFC Freedom 250 event, celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence, took place on the South Lawn of the White House and drew a significant crowd, including President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Approximately 4,300 people were at the event, with an additional estimated 85,000 gathering at the nearby Ellipse park.
In a document provided by an FBI agent, the investigation into Proper, who is 19, revealed alarming details. During a voluntary interview, Proper claimed to be a leader in the plot and confessed to organizing the attack with others.
It appears he intended to carry out a demonstration north of the White House involving a drone loaded with explosives, aimed to detonate near UFC event attendees.
“When the unmanned aircraft exploded, its purpose was to evacuate the crowd and high-value targets (HVT) attending the UFC event to the south,” noted the affidavit. “Proper stated that members of his group would act as snipers and additional shooters, targeting fleeing crowd members and HVTs after the explosion.”
Concerns about Proper’s behavior reportedly led his mother to contact authorities. She mentioned his recent firearm purchases and his troubling online connections. Family members expressed worries over his increasing isolation and his internet activity, which allegedly included pro-Hitler sentiments and anti-Semitic remarks on Facebook.
According to his mother, Proper engaged with an online group that claimed to consist of Christians and former military members, who espoused anti-government and highly religious beliefs. She suspected that these individuals were using religious rhetoric to manipulate him.
“She believed these people were using religion to manipulate and influence her son,” the affidavit stated.
As the weekend of June 13 approached, Proper met online acquaintances. His father reported that he had acquired firearms, ammunition, and camping gear.
Law enforcement estimated that Proper obtained thousands of rounds of ammunition, alongside items like an AR-style rifle and a bullpup rifle decorated with the American flag, as documented by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the affidavit, Proper claimed that the purpose of the attack was to “accelerate” a revolution within the United States.
Investigators allegedly found corroborating evidence on Proper’s cellphone that matched much of his claims. Furthermore, he had mentioned other potential targets in online conversations, including Senator Marsha Blackburn, highlighting her ties to pro-Israel lobbying efforts.
“She receives money from the pro-Israel lobby and supports them,” he reportedly said in an online chat.
In late May, he allegedly circulated images of several U.S. senators and representatives, declaring, “These are the people we’re going to focus on,” alongside information on their funding from pro-Israel political action committees.
The criminal complaint against Proper lists multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit attacks against the United States
- Attempted Murder Against a United States Official or Employee
- Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime
- Receiving or Transferring a Firearm Used in the Commission of a Felony
In addition, four others—Daniel Eskridge from Missouri, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez of Nebraska, and Brian Omar and Michael Alan Thomas from California—have been charged in connection with this alleged conspiracy.
