The FBI and local law enforcement agencies foiled an alleged terrorist plot targeting a UFC event held near the White House on June 14. Court documents allege the conspirators discussed using explosive-laden drones to attack the event and then open fire on fleeing spectators. Five individuals were arrested across multiple states and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, while investigators also seized firearms, ammunition, and encrypted communications tied to 19 additional suspects. Among those arrested were 19-year-old Tysen Proper of Ohio and 32-year-old Daniel Eskridge of Missouri, whose family members had previously contacted law enforcement with concerns about their behavior.
The FBI and local law enforcement agencies arrested five individuals in connection with an alleged terrorist plot targeting a UFC event held near the White House, with court documents unsealed following the June 14 event revealing the scope of the alleged conspiracy.
According to court filings, the suspects discussed deploying explosive-laden drones to attack the event and then opening fire on spectators as they fled the venue. Investigators seized firearms, ammunition, and encrypted communications in connection with the case. Authorities also identified 19 additional suspects linked to the alleged plot through those seized materials.
Among the five arrested were Tysen Proper, a 19-year-old from Ohio, and Daniel Eskridge, a 32-year-old from Missouri. Family members of both individuals had previously contacted law enforcement with concerns about their behavior prior to the arrests. The five suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, with arrests carried out across multiple states.
Why it matters
- The alleged plot targeted a high-profile public event held in proximity to one of the most secured areas in the United States, raising significant questions about event security protocols at major MMA gatherings.
- The involvement of family members as tipsters reflects the role civilian reporting played in advancing the investigation before the event took place.
- The identification of 19 additional suspects beyond those arrested suggests the investigation remains active and ongoing.
- The charges of conspiracy to commit murder carry serious federal sentencing exposure for all five individuals taken into custody.
The arrests were made across multiple states, and the breadth of the alleged network, combined with the seizure of encrypted communications, indicates federal investigators are continuing to pursue the wider group of individuals named in the case documents.
