Five Arrested in Alleged Plot to Attack White House UFC Event, Investigators Say
Federal authorities have arrested five men on charges related to an alleged plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack at UFC Freedom 250, the Sunday event held on White House grounds that was attended by President Donald Trump and other senior government officials. Court records reviewed by Fox News Digital show the suspects allegedly connected through a TikTok community before shifting their planning into encrypted messaging apps.
Federal authorities have arrested five men on charges related to an alleged plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack at UFC Freedom 250, the Sunday event held on White House grounds that was attended by President Donald Trump and other senior government officials. Court records reviewed by Fox News Digital show the suspects allegedly connected through a TikTok community before shifting their planning into encrypted messaging apps.
How the Network Allegedly Formed
Prosecutors say members of the group first met around March through a TikTok community called "Vanguard of the Old," where participants allegedly vetted one another using identification documents, workout videos and tactical content. Court filings do not specify whether the community was a formal organization or an informal online chat group. The network then moved into private Signal chats, where investigators say operational planning took shape.
Court records identify a Nebraska man known online as "Shepherd" as the alleged ringleader. Prosecutors say he helped construct a tiered organizational structure that assigned participants to specific roles, including frontline operators, drone operators, getaway drivers, recruiters, logistics personnel, technical support and social media advocates. Tier 1 members were allegedly expected to carry out missions and acquire firearms and body armor. A primary Signal chat linked to the group contained approximately 19 participants, with smaller operational groups organized by role and location, according to court records.
The Alleged Attack Plan
Investigators allege members discussed positioning explosive-laden drones over the north side of the venue to trigger a mass evacuation, then opening fire on politicians and other attendees as they fled. Court records show discussions of sniper positions, drone launch sites, maps of Washington, D.C., and escape routes that included traveling south along the Potomac River. A planned rendezvous point in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where participants from multiple states were allegedly expected to assemble, is also referenced in the filings.
Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas, both California defendants, allegedly conducted a joint training session in late May. "Noble and I trained on vehicle dismount, cover vs concealment, bounding, and basic marksmanship today," Thomas wrote to the group on May 25, according to court records.
How the Investigation Unfolded
The case began June 10 when the mother of Tycen Proper, a 19-year-old Ohio defendant, contacted local authorities after growing concerned about his behavior. Family members reported he had purchased firearms, body armor, ammunition and tactical gear and had quit his job to prepare for what he described as "missions" and "recons." A subsequent warrant for Proper's phone allegedly yielded Signal chats containing maps, proposed shooting positions and escape plans.
According to a participant interviewed by the FBI in West Virginia, members canceled the operation by the Friday before the event — after authorities had already begun their investigation. Authorities executed search warrants and arrested suspects in Ohio, California, Missouri and Nebraska on Saturday and Sunday.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Fox News, said the conspiracy never approached execution. "They hadn't really done that much planning," Vance said. "And so thank God we have good law enforcement." Deputy Secret Service Director Matthew Quinn said the agency had led the investigation from the start and had deliberately withheld public disclosure to protect its integrity.
Fox News' David Spunt contributed to this report.