Mass Attack Plan at UFC Event Thwarted by Authorities
Five men have been arrested for allegedly plotting a large-scale attack at a UFC event held on the White House grounds, which was attended by President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials. According to federal court documents, the suspects connected through a TikTok group and later switched to an encrypted messaging app to discuss their violent intentions.
The group, identified as “Vanguard of the Old,” began communicating in March, sharing workout videos and tactical content as a way to vet each other. It isn’t clear if this group was an official organization or simply an online community. The records show the men were arrested in various states including Ohio, California, Missouri, and Nebraska, as their discussions evolved from casual chats to plans involving the use of drones for an attack.
Prosecutors believe they intended to use explosive drones to create chaos at the UFC Freedom 250 event, targeting government officials as the crowd attempted to flee. The specifics of their plan suggest a grim strategic approach, mapping out escape routes and potential sniper positions.
Although the investigation uncovered what appeared to be a well-structured plan, some officials, like Vice President J.D. Vance, indicated that it may not have posed an immediate threat. Vance noted the heavy security present at the event and remarked that the plot had not developed fully, as the suspects were not in town.
Court documents name a man from Nebraska, known as “Shepard,” as the alleged leader of the group. Prosecutors claim he established the group’s hierarchy and organized members across different states using encrypted communications. Members were classified into tiers based on their assigned roles, such as operators, drone pilots, and logistics personnel.
Some group members reportedly had military backgrounds, although it’s unclear if all had actual military service. It seems there were further divisions within the group, with smaller chat groups focused on specific missions and operational strategies.
Tensions between federal agencies emerged regarding the timing of the case’s publicity, with some officials hesitant to reveal details for fear of alerting other targets. Efforts to maintain the investigation’s integrity led to a cautious approach in discussing the unfolding events publicly.
The investigation reportedly started when Proper’s mother contacted authorities due to her worries about his behavior. Family members expressed concern about him meeting online acquaintances and preparing for what he called “missions.” They felt that Proper’s recent purchases of weapons and tactical gear were alarming.
After police secured a warrant to access Proper’s phone, they discovered chats that included potential plans for attacks, identifying various targets in Congress and expressing anger about perceived governmental corruption. Members expressed a radical sentiment, believing the U.S. needed to be “destroyed and rebuilt.”
In the lead-up to the UFC Freedom 250, the group’s encrypted discussions shifted to operational planning. They planned to meet in Virginia before heading to Washington, discussing logistics like housing and escape routes. Ultimately, the plan involved causing chaos during the event and targeting officials amid the confusion.
Interestingly, interviews with participants indicated that the operation was canceled just days before the event, after the investigation had already begun. Law enforcement executed a coordinated series of arrests across several states, preventing further escalation of their plans.
Despite the unsettling nature of their intentions, officials like Vance expressed gratitude for the law enforcement response, highlighting that the threat was contained before any real harm could occur.
