FBI Intercepts Teenage Plot to Assassinate Texas Congressman During Election Bid

Federal investigators moved quickly to stop a teenage suspect who allegedly planned to assassinate a sitting U.S. Congressman in North Texas.

According to campaign officials, the FBI arrested a 17-year-old from McKinney on October 5. The suspect is accused of plotting to kill Representative Keith Self, a Republican currently seeking a third term in office for Texas’ third congressional district. The congressman’s team first learned of the detention on October 6 via the U.S. Capitol Police. Investigators indicated that the teen had been radicalized and was under federal surveillance. Authorities believed the suspect was also planning a broader terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. The specific target for the assassination was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans scheduled for October 17. This event was set to feature former Dallas Cowboys players and other high-profile guests.

Representative Self, who has military combat experience, stated that his background helped him manage the situation calmly. He noted that while the news was serious, he did not panic because he had dealt with similar threats in the past. Self mentioned that his wife, a military spouse for 25 years, also understood the risks involved. He emphasized that while he has received threats before, this was the first time one resulted in an arrest. The campaign manager confirmed that the team immediately increased their situational awareness and security protocols as early voting continued across the state. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for further details but had not yet responded as of the latest report.

The stakes of this incident are high, given the political context surrounding Self. He has taken a prominent stance against Sharia law, recently introducing a nonbinding resolution in September to denounce it and affirm the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law. His district includes McKinney, where the debate over a new mosque expansion has become contentious. In August, the local city council unanimously approved a site plan for the mosque expansion after hours of public comment. This vote was followed by an effort to recall several council members. Despite the alleged plot, Self attended the October 17 event as planned. He judged 19 different chilies and three pots of beans, reporting that nothing happened. His opponent, Evan Hunt, condemned the plot on social media. The suspect’s identity remains undisclosed while the investigation continues. Self says the incident will not deter him from campaigning, noting that he has continued polling and meeting voters daily.