Teen Arrested For Plot Against North Texas Congressman, Campaign Increases Security

Residents in Texas' third congressional district are seeing increased security around Representative Keith Self, whose campaign confirmed that federal agents arrested a teenager accused of plotting an assassination attempt against the lawmaker. The suspect, a 17-year-old from McKinney, is accused of targeting Self at a scheduled veterans event, though no injuries occurred and the congressman has continued his normal campaign activities.

Federal agents took the teenager into custody on Oct. 5. According to the campaign, the team was notified of the arrest by U.S. Capitol Police the following day. Investigators indicated they believed the teen had been radicalized and monitored by federal agents. The allegations also included plans for a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. The intended target was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans held on Oct. 17, which involved former Cowboys players and other high-profile guests.

Following the notification, the congressman's team adjusted their safety protocols. Self stated that he increased his situational awareness and security profile. The congressman noted that his military background, which included multiple deployments, helped him process the threat calmly. He also mentioned that while his wife of 25 years is taking the matter seriously, he has received threats in the past that did not lead to arrest. Despite the concerns, Self attended the chili cook-off as planned and has continued poll greeting to meet voters daily.

The incident is occurring during the campaign season for a third term. The congressman has recently taken a prominent stance regarding Sharia law, introducing a nonbinding concurrent resolution in September that denounces its implementation in the United States while affirming the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. His district encompasses McKinney, where plans for a new mosque expansion were unanimously approved by the city council in August, a decision that was followed by an effort to recall several council members.

The investigation remains active, and the teen's identity has not been publicly released. Self's opponent in the midterm election, Evan Hunt, condemned the alleged plot in a social media post. The FBI Dallas office has not yet provided further details regarding the case.