Man arrested over alleged plot to attack Texas Capitol; now in federal custody

Mixed · 3Texas authorities arrested a suspect on Wednesday 30 September over an alleged plot to attack the state Capitol in Austin; DPS SWAT officers arrested Benny Caldera Jr., 40, at about 3 a.m. at his home in Converse, near San Antonio. 1 2 3 Centre · 1According to a memo to state senators from Senate secretary Patsy Spaw, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) received information on Tuesday night about a credible threat involving an individual who, with suspected co-conspirators, was planning an attack for 1 October. BNO News reported that DPS SWAT personnel made the arrest at about 3 a.m., after the agency worked overnight with the FBI and local law enforcement. 1 Mixed · 2DPS said it received credible information on Tuesday evening and worked with the FBI and local partners. DPS notified state lawmakers about the threat and arrest on Wednesday, and the FBI deferred to DPS for comment. 3 2

Centre · 1The memo did not identify the suspect, describe how the attack would have been carried out, or say whether any co-conspirators had been arrested. State Senator Paul Bettencourt said officials did not yet know the motive. Newsweek reported it was unclear who the intended target was. 1 Right · 3Outlets differ on the charge. Fox News, IJR and the Washington Examiner say he was charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant, as does CBS News citing DPS, while the AP says he could face such charges, according to the DPS statement. 4 2 3 Right · 3NBC News and the Washington Examiner said he was released on a $75,000 bond within hours; the Washington Examiner, citing county records, says this was just before 7 a.m., and IJR says he was released with a GPS tracker per jail records. Caldera was released on a $75,000 bond in those accounts, but DPS later said the FBI arrested him at the Bexar County jail on Wednesday evening to face additional federal charges, that he was released from the jail into federal custody where he will remain, and that he is not out on bond; CBS News, Breitbart and JNS report this. 4 5 3

Right · 3The Washington Examiner reports, with the word "reportedly", that he told a friend he would "shoot up" the building while lawmakers were inside. Arrest documents quoted by NBC 5 in Dallas-Fort Worth, via Breitbart and JNS, allege he told the friend "I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up" and that he was angry at AIPAC and said "these people have to be exterminated." Just the News also says he was reportedly angry with AIPAC. Other outlets give no such detail and say officials did not describe the plan. 4 6 7 Left · 1ABC News, citing an official briefed on the investigation, reported that he had allegedly threatened a mass shooting, had been collecting ammunition and had guns, and that people who knew him had warned authorities he was growing angrier and potentially violent; the official said Caldera and his wife were not cooperating, while other relatives and co-workers were talking to investigators, who were seeking warrants for his devices to look for accomplices. 8 Right · 1The Washington Examiner says the tip reportedly implied co-conspirators, but no other arrests have been made, and Fox News says DPS has not identified additional suspects. The Examiner reports county court records show earlier misdemeanor arrests in 2023 and 2024 for unlawful carry of a weapon, and that court records show a November 2023 charge of unlicensed carrying of a weapon. 4

Right · 3The Capitol stayed open during regular hours with an increased DPS presence, and the Texas Senate secretary told senators the threat was not cause for concern. DPS said there is no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to the Capitol and asked Texans to remain vigilant. 3 6 2 Right · 2Governor Greg Abbott praised DPS on X, saying "Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol," and FBI Director Kash Patel praised DPS's work as "outstanding." 2 4 Mixed · 2The investigation is ongoing, and the significance of the Thursday date and any accomplices are unresolved; officials, citing the investigation, had no further information to release, and no motive, intended target or injuries have been officially disclosed. An attorney listed for Caldera did not respond to the AP's messages. A memo from Senate secretary Patsy Spaw to senators, reported by BNO News, referred to suspected co-conspirators, but it did not say how the attack would be carried out or whether anyone else was arrested. 2 1