Federal authorities say they have disrupted an alleged mass-casualty plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event held on White House grounds, with five men now arrested across multiple states.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspects are Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Prosecutors allege the group planned to use drones armed with explosives near the event to create chaos and force an evacuation. Investigators say the alleged plan then involved sniper teams targeting “high value targets” as people fled the area.
The event, UFC Freedom 250, was staged at the White House as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations and drew high-profile political figures and a large public presence nearby. Reuters reports President Donald Trump attended the event, which went ahead without incident.
The DOJ says the investigation began on June 10 and led to a multi-state law enforcement operation involving arrests in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California. Authorities also allege encrypted chats were used to discuss the plan, weapons, drones and possible targets.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing. The suspects are facing federal charges, but they have not been convicted, and Reuters reports they had not entered pleas at the time of reporting.
Sources: DOJ, Reuters, ABC News.