Two men from Riverside County, California, were arrested in connection with an alleged plot targeting the "UFC Freedom 250" fights at the White House. Bryan Omar Roa, 24, from Calimesa, and Michael Alan Thomas, 32, from Pinon Hills, were taken into custody on Saturday, the day before the event, and have made their initial court appearances.
The FBI conducted searches at their residences, recovering multiple firearms and large quantities of ammunition. Court documents indicate that one suspect admitted to planning the attack and encouraging others to participate. The alleged plot involved at least 19 individuals and included plans for explosions and gunfire at the event.
According to an unsealed FBI affidavit, the plan involved using drones to set off explosions near the venue and shooting attendees as they evacuated. Authorities have arrested five individuals in total, including Roa and Thomas, who reportedly aimed to target politicians and wealthy guests.
The FBI stated that the group had been communicating online for at least a month. Among them was 19-year-old Tycen Proper from Ohio, who allegedly used $3,000 of graduation money to buy firearms, tactical vests, and ammunition for the attack. The plot was uncovered after Proper's mother overheard conversations on encrypted chats and contacted law enforcement.
The FBI's court filing revealed that the group, described as strangers claiming to be ex-military and Christian-based, discussed grievances related to government corruption and other issues. They believed a coordinated attack could lead to a significant societal change.
The plan included designated sniper locations, meeting points, and discussions of safe houses. The Secret Service has not disclosed how close the group was to executing the attack. Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn stated that the agency takes all significant threats seriously and continues to investigate until all suspects are identified.
The investigation also raises concerns about drone-related threats. The White House World Cup task force has implemented counter-drone technology for all matches in the U.S. During a recent Team USA match, the FBI seized three drones, while authorities in Miami and Atlanta recovered a total of 35 drones, which were described as violations of restricted airspace rather than coordinated attacks. The investigation remains ongoing.