Eight men have been charged with murder and terrorism conspiracy in connection with an attempted drone and sniper attack on the UFC event at the White House in June. The indictment, issued in Ohio, accuses the group of two distinct conspiracies: providing support to terrorists and plotting the murder of a federal government official on government property.
Details from court documents do not clarify the extent to which the attackers were prepared to execute their plan before it was foiled. The scheme reportedly began in May, with the group gathering funds, weapons, explosives, drones, and other supplies.
Law enforcement became aware of a potential threat to President Donald Trump’s UFC event on June 10, just days before the show. The U.S. Justice Department brought federal charges against seven individuals from various states, including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, and California. Authorities revealed that the group members held extremist beliefs and aimed to destabilize the government through the planned attack.
According to a federal affidavit, one of the defendants disclosed intentions to use explosive drones and shoot fleeing spectators at the event. Tycen C. Proper, along with four others, was apprehended in Missouri, Nebraska, and California during the weekend of the Freedom 250 event. Two additional suspects were arrested by the FBI in Washington and Missouri about a week later, while the eighth man was charged more recently.
The final defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, from Chapmanville, W.Va., was arrested in his home state. Scaggs was allegedly designated as one of the snipers for the attack. Despite losing contact with Proper after his arrest, Scaggs purportedly expressed willingness to proceed with the plan and arranged travel with another co-conspirator.
The indictment mentions the group’s alleged intention to assassinate Trump, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and other prominent figures during the UFC event. Conspiring to aid terrorists can lead to a maximum of 15 years in prison, while planning murder carries a potential life sentence.