The alleged plot to launch an attack on US President Donald Trump’s UFC cage-fighting show held at the White House last Sunday came to light after the mother of one of the accused noticed her son’s growing obsession with guns, tactical gear and secretive online communications, according to a report.
The court papers filed by the FBI in court said the plot involved using explosive-laden drones to strike the north side of the White House to funnel the attendees toward an exit where snipers planned to open fire on fleeing politicians and others. Five men were arrested in this connection.
The mother of Tycen Proper, a 19-year-old Ohio man charged in connection with the plot, alerted the investigators after she became alarmed by his behaviour, which included his recent firearm purchases and his communication with people he met online, according to Fox News.
Proper’s mother also noticed him researching locations near Washington, D.C., and receiving maps and images through text messages and Discord. She then confronted him, who said the group planned to conduct "recon" and "hit and run missions." The woman interpreted this as “planned shootings”, the report added.
On June 10, Proper’s parents contacted the police. When officers arrived at their home in Knox County, Proper’s father told officers that his son had met people online and had been planning “recons”. The 19-year-old also planned to leave during the weekend of June 13 to meet members of the group. The family told investigators that Proper had spent $3,000 of his graduation money to buy firearms, body armour, ammunition and tactical gear.
These firearms were later seized by the police, who also recovered encrypted text messages between 20 participants who shared detailed maps and aerial photographs of the area. They also recovered material which proved the group discussed the need for a “safe house” and escape routes after the intended attack.
When deputies responded to the family's Knox County, Ohio, home, Proper's father told officers his son had recently met people online and had been planning "recons" with them. He also said Proper had recently begun communicating with an online group of “former military personnel who described themselves as Christian-based” through a TikTok group called “Vanguard of the Old.”
After this, Proper began focusing on physical training and tactical preparation.
The local police then contacted the FBI officials, who allegedly found Signal chats discussing plans for an attack during the June 14 UFC event at the White House, including the use of explosive-laden drones and shooters positioned near evacuation routes.
