FBI Thwarts Suspected Drone Terror Plot Targeting White House UFC Event
The FBI has successfully intercepted a potential drone attack aimed at a UFC event at the White House, apprehending 23 individuals who were apparently motivated by anti-government and anti-Israel sentiments. The details reveal some alarming plans—including the acquisition of a $3,000 weapon by a 19-year-old suspect.
On Tuesday, authorities provided more information regarding five individuals charged with orchestrating a “mass casualty incident” intended for President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials during a UFC event this past Sunday.
The suspects were arrested during a coordinated operation across multiple states in June, allegedly planning an ambush using drones filled with explosives aimed at the north side of the White House.
The suspects include Tysen C. Proper, a 19-year-old from Ohio; Brian Omar Lore, 24, from California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, also from California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, from Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, from Omaha, Nebraska.
Here are five unsettling details that authorities have uncovered about the alleged conspiracy.
1. Evacuation Trap Targeting Trump, Netanyahu, and Musk
Authorities indicated that the group intended to execute multiple coordinated attacks against senior officials. Court filings suggest they planned to deploy an explosive-laden drone over the UFC arena, aiming to detonate it amidst the crowd and create chaos for “high-value targets” during an evacuation.
The evacuation zone was effectively set up as a kill zone, being monitored by five sniper teams prepared to ambush those fleeing.
The snipers received instructions to focus on eliminating high-profile individuals initially, as outlined in the legal documents.
Investigators discovered that Alvarez, who has been identified as the online planner for the group, used encrypted chats to suggest possible targets, including Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, along with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Elon Musk.
Moreover, Proper allegedly compiled a target list that included 46 individuals.
2. Plan to Steal Military Ammunition
Officials noted that the group realized they lacked sufficient skills to create homemade explosives and consequently considered stealing military weapons instead. They discussed targeting military facilities to acquire the necessary materials, with the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant identified as a prime target.
Eskridge reportedly expressed eagerness for this, claiming that someone was already infiltrating the plant to gather information about a possible theft.
3. Safe House and Escape Plans
The conspirators anticipated a significant law enforcement response following their planned attack, leading one member to claim they would be pursued vigorously. To prepare for this, they identified a safe location and began constructing a temporary bunker for hiding post-attack.
In late May, Eskridge claimed plans to convert his rural Missouri property into a safe house, even mentioning a hidden bunker. Alvarez suggested an abandoned church in Nebraska as another backup location.
Discussions even encompassed plans for members to be rescued if arrested.
4. Hit List Driven by Conspiracy Theories
The alleged conspiracy was fueled by extreme anti-government views, anti-Semitic beliefs, and bizarre conspiracy theories. Documents indicated that Thomas conveyed to FBI agents his conviction that the U.S. government was run by a secret elite engaged in horrific rituals.
Authorities also noted that Proper maintained a journal expressing his belief in demonic worship, alongside a target list that included politicians and celebrities. He and Eskridge used a specific website to track pro-Israel political contributions.
5. Arsenal Funded by Graduation and Crowdfunding
Prosecutors revealed that a significant portion of the group’s initial arsenal was financed by Proper, who reportedly spent around $3,000 of his graduation funds to purchase firearms and ammunition. Initially, the group sought to crowdsource funds for the attack; there were attempts to raise money for drones and explosives.
