FBI reveals details in new affidavit about alleged terror plot to attack UFC 250 event

The FBI released an affidavit Tuesday regarding a foiled alleged terror plot on Sunday’s Ultimate Fighting Championship 250 event at the White House, which perpetrators were allegedly planning to attack with explosive-laden drones and snipers.

At least five people have been arrested, and agents are working to identify as many as 18 others who appear to be involved in the planning on encrypted chats communicating with the alleged plotters, officials said.

The affidavit identified three of the five apprehended suspects, including 19-year-old Tycen Proper, who was arrested in Ohio and charged with attempted murder and several firearms violations after he allegedly admitted to helping plan the attack.

FBI task force officer Christopher Betts said in the court document that Proper's mother reported her son's unusual behavior to police in Ohio last week, highlighting his recent purchases of firearms and conversations with random people online.

Proper also allegedly made “concerning statements,” including “making sympathetic comments about Adolf Hitler and posting anti-Semitic comments on Facebook," according to NBC News.

The suspect allegedly told investigators that his group was supposed to stage a protest on the north side of the White House, and while he was not planning to shoot anyone, people in his group were allegedly intent on violence. 

“While the demonstration was taking place, the group would fly small, unmanned aircraft (i.e. drones) laden with unspecified explosive devices which would detonate over the north side of the UFC arena,” the affidavit said. “When the unmanned aircraft detonated, the intent was to force the crowd attending the UFC event and high-value targets (HVTs) to evacuate to the south.”

Proper also claimed that the reason behind the planned attack was to allegedly jump-start a revolution because “members of the group believed that the United States needed to be torn down so that it could be rebuilt."

Another suspect was arrested in Missouri and identified as 32-year-old Daniel Eskridge, who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, in connection with a plan to attack the event.

Eskridge allegedly told members of the group in messages that he was preparing a “safe house” in Missouri and was building a “bunker” under the floorboards of his shed. He intended to attack members of Congress and the power grid.

“The messages included maps with pins to locate positions of attack, as well as planned routes of escape following the execution of the group’s plan,” the affidavit said. “Once the details were settled among other members of the group, Eskridge stated, ‘I’m liking it, now if we can keep it all coordinated it should work.’”

A third man was identified as Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, who was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.

Alvarez allegedly posted detailed location and logistical information related to the plan, including locations in the area for drone launch points and sniper positions.

Officials seized weapons and ammo from each of the suspects' homes, along with tactical vests and a multi-cam gun belt with a medical kit from Eskridge's home.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a post on X that his agency “worked closely with the FBI throughout this investigation.”

“In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” Curran wrote. “Equally important to our protective mission is ensuring accountability through the justice system.”

A dozen FBI offices around the country were also involved in the investigation. Officials said they believed the goal of the plot was to attack the site of the fight on the White House South Lawn with one or more explosive-laden drones, causing panicked fans to flee into areas where snipers would then shoot them.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.