Federal authorities have charged at least five individuals, including a 19-year-old Ohio man, in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a mass casualty attack during the highly anticipated UFC event held at the White House, according to newly released court documents.
Photos of the leaked group chat
The FBI said it uncovered the alleged plan after infiltrating an encrypted Signal group chat where participants were allegedly coordinating an attack involving drones, sniper teams and targeted killings of high-profile government officials attending the event.
On June 16, the Department of Justice released several photos related to the case, including screenshots of a conversation in which participants in the Signal chat shared maps and discussed the positioning of a “drone launch point” and a “snipers nest.”
Tycen Proper, 19, of Knox County, Ohio, now faces four federal charges after investigators say his mother contacted law enforcement out of concern over his increasingly alarming behavior and online associations. Authorities said Proper’s parents had become worried about his growing “ultra-religious and antigovernment sentiment.”
The conspiracy
According to federal prosecutors, Proper has been charged with conspiracy to commit crimes against the U.S., attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony. Two of the charges carry potential life sentences if he is convicted.
Investigators said Proper allegedly quit his job recently to prepare for “missions” and “recons,” while spending thousands of dollars in graduation money on guns, ammunition, magazines and protective gear.
The DOJ shared a photo of an American flag-emblazoned gun belonging to Proper.
Four additional suspects have also been charged in the case: Daniel Eskridge, 32, of Missouri and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Nebraska, plus Bryan Omar Roa, 24, and Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of California. Federal authorities believe as many as 23 people might have been involved in the broader operation.
The DOJ also released a photo of tactical equipment shared by Eskridge, over which he allegedly added the message, “The 1st Amendment isn’t working.” What appeared to be the same tactical gear was pictured in a photo taken by the FBI during a June 13 search of Eskridge’s home.
Another image flagged by the DOJ was purportedly posted by Roa on his Instagram Story from Mexico. “Did sum tactical training, awesome stuff,” reads a message written across a photo of a man taking a knee while holding a gun.
Planning explosions
Court documents allege the attack was designed to maximize chaos during the White House-hosted UFC fight. The plan reportedly involved staging unrest at the White House’s north gate to spark protests, then launching explosive drones toward the South Lawn, where the octagon had been set up.
Authorities say the explosions were intended to force attendees southward, where pre-positioned sniper teams would target what Proper allegedly described as “HVTs” — high-value targets including Trump administration officials and wealthy attendees.
Investigators say Proper also considered targeting Senator Marsha Blackburn, noting on his phone that “she’s taken money from the Israel pro-Israel lobby.”
The event drew roughly 4,300 attendees including Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Speaking at the G7 Summit in France, Trump said he had not been told about the plot.