A criminal complaint filed by the federal government alleges that a plan to attack a UFC event at the White House was stopped after authorities were alerted by a concerned mother who called police about her son. The intended attack, according to the complaint, involved drones and sniper fire targeting members of the U.S. Congress who were expected to attend the event.
Officials stated that Tycen Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, admitted to federal investigators on June 11 that he intended to “jump-start” a revolution in the U.S. with a June 14 assault beginning with drone bombings over the north side of the arena. Charging documents indicate that his co-conspirators were allegedly positioned to take sniper roles overlooking southern evacuation routes.
The complaint specified that the alleged plot’s sniper plan was aimed at “high value targets.” Federal officials said those targeted included U.S. politicians identified by the group as supporting Israeli interests.
Authorities said Proper’s mother called police on the evening of June 10, expressing fears about his recent purchases of firearms, ammunition, and ballistic plates. She also cited concerns about his connection to a Christian extremist group on TikTok, internet postings sympathetic to Adolf Hitler, interest in Jeffrey Epstein and government corruption, and his statements about conducting “hit and run missions.”
Following his mother’s call, Proper was hospitalized with what authorities described as homicidal ideations. The charging documents state that Proper now faces charges including attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States.
Investigators linked at least four additional arrests to the operation arising from the investigation of Proper. Those charged include Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez in Nebraska, Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas in California, and Daniel Eskridge in Missouri.
In his interview with law enforcement, Proper described a conspirator known online as “Shepherd” as the chief organizer of the group. According to a criminal complaint, Alvarez used that moniker and employed coded terms in encrypted chats to refer to priority targets.
Authorities allege those targets included President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Elon Musk. The complaint also noted that online rumors circulated about Netanyahu’s possible attendance, but he did not attend the UFC event.
Federal investigators said the group also discussed targeting U.S. senators and representatives. The listed names include U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Jim Justice of West Virginia, and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. Also identified were U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore, both of West Virginia.
The FBI reported learning of the alleged plot four days before the mixed martial arts event held on the South Lawn of the White House. FBI Director Kash Patel released a statement on X crediting the agency’s response. “Thanks to the rapid action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel wrote.
In a separate statement, Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the agency “worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.”
The UFC event coincided with former President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and was tied to larger celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.