FBI FOILS ISIS-INSPIRED PLOT: RADICALIZED TEEN ARRESTED BEFORE ASSASSINATING TEXAS CONGRESSMAN KEITH SELF
A 17-year-old from McKinney was arrested by the FBI on October 5 after agents say he plotted an ISIS-inspired assassination of U.S. Rep. Keith Self at a veterans chili cook-off. The teen, recently radicalized online, acquired a firearm and was already under federal surveillance when authorities moved in and stopped the attack before it could happen.
Governor Greg Abbott called it a close call and a very serious threat. “The FBI stopped this radical Islamic terrorist before he could strike,” Abbott said. “Radical Islamic terrorism has no place in Texas. We will combat radical Islam in all forms and eliminate every threat it poses.”
Self, a 25-year military veteran who co-founded the Sharia-Free America Caucus, confirmed he and his family are safe. “I am grateful to the FBI and law enforcement for stopping this threat,” the congressman said. “Preserving our constitutional republic from radical Islam means accepting the costs that come with it—name-calling, threats, and worse.
Our Founders believed this country was worth the sacrifice. I served 25 years in the military because defending freedom was worth the sacrifice. This only strengthens my resolve. I will not back down.”
The juvenile remains in federal custody. Texas DPS is coordinating with federal partners to keep these threats from taking root. Radical Islamic terror tried to hit a public veterans event in North Texas. Law enforcement shut it down. Texas is not backing down.