Man charged over alleged plot to attack Texas Capitol on Thursday
A man has been arrested and charged over an alleged plot to launch a “violent” attack on the Texas Capitol in Austin, according to state officials. The attack was planned for Thursday.
Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) SWAT personnel at about 3 a.m. on Wednesday at his home in Converse, near San Antonio, according to DPS officials. He was taken to the Bexar County Jail and charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant.
DPS said it received credible information Tuesday evening about an individual planning a violent attack on the Capitol for October 1. Special agents from its Criminal Investigations Division worked overnight with the FBI and local law enforcement before arresting the main suspect.
A memo sent to state senators by Patsy Spaw, secretary of the Senate, said the suspect was planning the attack with others, according to WBC24. DPS has not said whether anyone else has been arrested. The motive and details of the alleged plan remain unknown.
DPS leadership notified state lawmakers of the threat and arrest on Wednesday. The agency said the Capitol would maintain regular operating hours, with an increased security presence to protect employees, visitors and state officials.
“Texas DPS and the FBI stopped a planned attack on the Texas Capitol,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a social media post. “Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol.”
The Texas Capitol houses the chambers of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the governor’s office.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
