North Texas: FBI arrests teen in alleged plot against Rep. Keith Self

A 17-year-old resident of McKinney is under federal investigation for an alleged scheme to kill Congressman Keith Self.

The timeline of events began in early October. On Oct. 5, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested the teenager. The following day, on Oct. 6, Self’s campaign team received word of the arrest through the U.S. Capitol Police. Officials stated that federal agents had been monitoring the teen, who was believed to have been radicalized. Investigators indicated the suspect was plotting a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. The specific target was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans scheduled for Oct. 17. This event was to feature former Dallas Cowboys players and other high-profile guests. Self’s campaign said they learned the teen intended to strike at this specific gathering.

Upon learning of the threat, the congressman’s team immediately heightened their security protocols. Self noted that his background in military combat zones helped him remain calm during the crisis. He stated that while others might panic upon hearing of an assassination plot, his experience allowed for a measured response. He worked with his staff to determine if the suspect was a lone wolf. His wife, a military spouse for 25 years, also took the threat seriously. The team acknowledged that while threats are common in politics, this was the first to result in an arrest. They understood the potential for a serious incident based on the intelligence they received.

Despite the looming threat, Self attended the Oct. 17 event as planned. He participated fully, judging 19 different chilies and three pots of beans. He reported that the event proceeded without incident. Since then, he has continued his campaign activities for his third term in Texas’ third congressional district. He has been out poll greeting and meeting with voters daily. Self said the plot would not deter him from sharing his views on political ideology with the American public. His opponent in the midterm election, Evan Hunt, also condemned the alleged plot on social media.

The case has drawn attention to broader local issues. Self has taken a prominent stance against Sharia law, introducing a nonbinding resolution in September. The resolution asserts that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. McKinney, which lies within Self’s district, has also seen debate over a local mosque. In August, the city council unanimously approved a site plan for a mosque expansion. This decision followed hours of contentious public comment and was later followed by an effort to recall several council members. The teen’s identity has not been publicly released as the investigation continues. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for further details but had not responded as of the latest reporting.