Alleged Plot to Attack UFC Event Foiled by Concerned Mother
An attempted attack on a UFC event at the White House was reportedly thwarted thanks to a vigilant mother. She became increasingly worried about her son’s fascination with firearms, tactical gear, and secret online discussions.
Theisen Proper, a 19-year-old from Ohio, is facing charges for allegedly conspiring to target the UFC Freedom 250 event scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. According to court documents, it was his mother who contacted law enforcement, alarmed by his recent behavior.
Federal investigators claim that Proper was part of a group planning an attack involving drones equipped with explosives, sniper positions, and coordinated assaults on participants and other targets. One of the major concerns arose when his mother noticed him scouting locations around Washington, D.C., and receiving maps and images through text and social media channels.
When confronted by his mother, Proper reportedly mentioned “reconnaissance” and a “hit-and-run mission,” which she interpreted as a potential shooting plan. Concerned about her son’s recent firearm purchases and his connections to certain online individuals, she decided to reach out to authorities on June 10.
Upon visiting the family’s home, police learned from Proper’s father that his son had been meeting people online and intended to “recon” with them. The father also revealed that Proper was set to meet members of the group on the weekend of June 13.
According to the complaint, Proper had recently spent approximately $3,000 from his graduation funds on firearms, bulletproof vests, ammunition, and tactical gear. His family eventually handed over the items to law enforcement.
The mother expressed her worry about Proper’s communications with an online group that claimed ties to military service and Christianity. She noted that this group seemed to exert a significant influence on her son, who was becoming more dedicated to physical training and tactical readiness.
Following the local authorities’ alerting the FBI, investigators examined Proper’s cell phone. They reportedly found encrypted messages discussing an attack during the UFC event, including plans for drones and gunmen positioned at evacuation routes. Propper is also said to have admitted to being involved in the planning discussions.
Former FBI agent Jason Pack pointed out the vital role of family in recognizing concerning behavior, emphasizing that proactive communication with authorities can prevent potential threats. “That’s how it stopped,” Pack noted.
In a recent interview, former FBI Supervisor Rob Chadwick commended the mother’s bravery in speaking up, even knowing the difficult outcome it might bring for her son. “We are in a time of unprecedented political violence, and we all need to be alert,” he stated.
