Texas officers arrest man accused of plotting Capitol attack

Texas authorities arrested a 40-year-old man early Wednesday after receiving what they called credible information that he planned a violent attack on the state Capitol in Austin on Thursday.

Texas Department of Public Safety SWAT officers arrested Benny Caldera Jr. at about 3 a.m. at his home in Converse, near San Antonio. The agency said its criminal investigations division worked with the FBI to assess the threat and investigate the circumstances of the alleged plan. The tip came in Tuesday evening, The Guardian reported.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit described by NBC News, a friend told DPS officers that Caldera had “made verbal threats to assault the Texas State Capitol Building.” The friend said Caldera told him, “I love you, if you don’t see me again,” before saying, “I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up.”

The affidavit also says Caldera told his friend he was angry at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and that “these people have to be exterminated,” according to NBC News. Authorities did not provide further details about the alleged plot, citing the ongoing investigation, The Guardian reported.

NBC News reported that Caldera was taken to the Bexar County Jail, charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant and later released on a $75,000 bond. The Guardian reported that he was jailed on a $75,000 bond and that officials said he could face charges including felony terroristic threat against a public servant. The outlet said it had left messages seeking comment from an attorney listed for Caldera.

Bexar County court records show Caldera was previously charged with unlicensed carrying of a weapon in November 2023, according to NBC News.

DPS notified state lawmakers of the threat and arrest Wednesday. The Capitol remained open during its regular operating hours, while officers maintained an increased presence to protect employees, visitors and state officials. Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw also said in a notice that security at the Capitol would be increased during the investigation, The Guardian reported.

Governor Greg Abbott said the FBI had assisted DPS in making the arrest. “Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol,” he said in a social media statement.