Texas man arrested after allegedly threatening to 'shoot up' state Capitol

Key points

• The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) received credible information on Tuesday evening regarding a planned violent attack for Thursday, October 1.
• DPS SWAT arrested Benny Caldera Jr. at his home in Converse, approximately 15 miles northeast of San Antonio, at 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
• Caldera was initially charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant and released on a $75,000 bond from Bexar County Jail.
• Later on Wednesday, the FBI took Caldera into federal custody to face additional, unspecified federal charges.
• The Texas State Capitol in Austin remained open for regular hours, though DPS increased its security presence for officials and visitors.

Background

This incident follows previous security concerns regarding state institutions, though no direct prior threats against the Texas Capitol were noted in recent archives. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by state and federal agencies to preemptively address threats to public safety.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News and Fox 7 Austin emphasized the rapid response of DPS and the FBI, with FBI Director Kash Patel praising the swift custody of the 'main suspect.' NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth and The Guardian provided specific details from arrest warrant affidavits, noting that Caldera allegedly told a friend, 'I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up,' and expressed anger toward AIPAC, stating 'these people have to be exterminated.' While all outlets confirmed the arrest and federal transfer, only NBC 5 and The Guardian detailed the specific verbal threats and motivations cited in court documents.

Why it matters

The thwarted plot underscores the continued vigilance required for state and federal security apparatuses in protecting legislative institutions. The rapid coordination between state DPS and the FBI demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-sharing in preventing potential violence against public servants and government buildings.

What to watch

Caldera will remain in federal custody as the investigation continues. DPS has not identified any co-conspirators or released specific details about the nature of the planned attack. The Capitol will maintain increased security while the case proceeds through federal channels.