First posted on Instagram
Federal agents arrested a 17-year-old from McKinney, Texas, on October 5 after he obtained a firearm, moving in on a teenager investigators say had recently been radicalized by Islamic State propaganda online and was already under federal surveillance. The teenager, whose name has not been released because he is a juvenile, remains in federal custody while the investigation continues.
Investigators believe the teenager planned to target Representative Keith Self, a Republican who represents Texas's 3rd Congressional District, at a veterans chili cook-off fundraiser scheduled for October 17, an event that drew former Dallas Cowboys players and other prominent guests. Federal law enforcement sources also said the teenager was preparing a broader terrorist attack in North Texas on behalf of the Islamic State.
Self's campaign said U.S. Capitol Police notified his team on October 6, the day after the arrest. Self said he increased security but attended the October 17 fundraiser as scheduled, where he judged chili and beans, and that he was never in immediate danger.
"I am grateful to the FBI and law enforcement for stopping this threat. My family and I are safe, and I remain focused on serving the people of Texas' 3rd District," Self said in a post on X. "This only strengthens my resolve. I will not back down."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said: "The FBI stopped this radical Islamic terrorist before he could strike. Radical Islamic terrorism has no place in Texas. We will combat radical Islam in all forms and eliminate every threat it poses."
Self, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served 25 years, co-founded the Sharia-Free America Caucus in Congress and has been a vocal critic of Sharia law. He is seeking re-election for a third term.
As of October 22, the FBI had not released an official public statement on the case, and no injuries occurred. Prosecutors are reportedly considering whether to seek adult status for the teenager, and no further charging details have been released.