Texas law enforcement, in a rapid collaborative effort with federal agents, apprehended a suspect Wednesday in connection with an alleged plot to attack the Texas State Capitol in Austin. Authorities stated that the swift action prevented a potential assault planned for Thursday. Benny Caldera Jr., 40, of Converse, Texas, was taken into custody following a tip received by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
"Within HOURS of the tip, @TxDPS had the main suspect in custody — with @FBISanAntonio and local law enforcement assisting. Threaten Americans or our institutions, and law enforcement will move FAST. Investigation ongoing." Kash Patel, FBI Director
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, praising the inter-agency cooperation. According to Patel, DPS had the main suspect in custody within hours of receiving the initial tip, with assistance from the FBI's San Antonio team and local law enforcement. The operation unfolded quickly to neutralize the perceived threat.
Arrest documents detail statements allegedly made by Caldera to a friend, indicating a specific intent to commit violence. According to the paperwork, Caldera told the individual, "I love you, if you don't see me again," and explicitly stated, "I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up." The documents further identified the source of Caldera's alleged anger, noting his frustration with AIPAC, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. He reportedly told his friend that "these people have to be exterminated."
The coordinated law enforcement response began after DPS and the FBI assessed the threats made by Caldera. Following this assessment, the agencies decided to move forward with his detention. A DPS SWAT team executed the arrest at approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday, locating Caldera at his residence in Converse, a city located about 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio.
After his arrest, Caldera was initially booked into Bexar County Jail, where he was charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant. Later on Wednesday, Texas DPS issued an update via social media, confirming that Caldera was subsequently arrested by the FBI at the Bexar County Jail to face additional federal charges related to the possible planned attack. He was then transferred from county to federal custody, where he remains as the investigation progresses.
Reports from Dallas-Fort Worth NBC affiliate KXAS-TV also highlighted Caldera's past legal issues, noting a 2023 charge for the unlicensed carrying of a weapon. This detail provides additional context to the suspect's history but is not directly linked to the current alleged plot.
Both state and federal officials publicly commended the rapid and effective response. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media, "Outstanding work by @TxDPS. Proud of our @FBISanAntonio team for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our state and local partners." He further emphasized the speed of the operation, stating, "Within HOURS of the tip, @TxDPS had the main suspect in custody — with @FBISanAntonio and local law enforcement assisting. Threaten Americans or our institutions, and law enforcement will move FAST. Investigation ongoing."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also weighed in on the incident, expressing gratitude for the actions taken. "Texas DPS and the FBI stopped a planned attack on the Texas Capitol," Governor Abbott wrote on X. "Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol. Thank you, TxDPS, for a job well done."
The investigation into the alleged plot remains active and ongoing, with Caldera currently held in federal custody. The swift intervention by law enforcement agencies underscores the vigilance maintained to protect government institutions and public safety. This incident highlights the continuous efforts by federal and state authorities to respond to potential threats against public servants and government facilities.
In an unrelated incident overseas on the same day as Caldera's arrest, an alleged attempt by a co-pilot to take over and crash a FlyDubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was reportedly thwarted by Israeli passengers and the Indian pilot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview on Thursday, addressed the incident, identifying the co-pilot as Omani and stating he "underwent Islamist radical indoctrination." Netanyahu further commented on the co-pilot's alleged intent, saying, "I don’t know the exact background of this person, the attacker, but he obviously hated Israelis because he was going to kill about 170 of them on this plane, killing himself, too. That’s fanaticism and hatred of an incalculable level."
