Attempted Terrorist Attack Targeting UFC Fight Thwarted

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disclosed on Thursday that an illegal immigrant was behind an attempted terrorist attack related to the recent UFC event at the White House.

Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, a Mexican national, was taken into custody on Sunday. According to DHS, he had been living in the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa that expired back in 2001. They noted that he had also received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections under the Obama administration, which shield some undocumented immigrants who arrived as children, often referred to as Dreamers, from deportation while allowing them to apply for renewable work permits.

The DHS emphasized that such individuals, like Alvarez, should not have been allowed in the country, pledging to bring him to justice and ensure his removal.

FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned that authorities became aware of a terrorist plot on June 10, with several people taken into custody as the planned attack was effectively disrupted. He commended the investigative team’s preparedness in addressing threats, especially during significant events like the UFC fight, and expressed gratitude toward collaborating agencies.

Alvarez, who allegedly went by the codename “Shepard,” reportedly led a group of five individuals across multiple states in the conspiracy. According to a statement from the Department of Justice, Alvarez was in discussions about using drones and explosives to further their plans, with notes suggesting the establishment of a safe zone at a church in Nebraska.

His communication included detailed instructions about targeting strategies and the logistics of their operation, which raised serious concerns about the potential scale of the planned attack.