A 40-year-old man is in custody after Texas authorities intercepted a credible threat of violence targeting the state Capitol in Austin. The Texas State Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI collaborated through the night to track down the suspect following a tip received on Tuesday evening.
The investigation led to the arrest of Benny Caldera Jr. at his home in Converse, Texas, around 3 a.m. on Wednesday. He was subsequently transported to the Bexar County jail, where he faces a felony charge for terroristic threat against a public servant.
According to an official briefed on the matter, Caldera had allegedly expressed intent to carry out a mass shooting at the Capitol on Thursday. Investigators stated that the suspect had been accumulating ammunition and firearms. The tip came from individuals who observed Caldera becoming increasingly angry and potentially violent in recent times.
While Caldera and his wife have not cooperated with the probe, other family members and coworkers are providing information to authorities. The official noted that Caldera had recently been using drugs more heavily and had been voicing frustration regarding the direction of the country, the state, and the Palestinian cause.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the swift action taken by law enforcement. “Threaten Americans or our institutions and law enforcement will move FAST,” Patel wrote on social media, commending the Texas DPS for their outstanding work.
In a notice sent to state senators on Wednesday, Texas State Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw addressed the threat. She stated that while the situation was not considered a current cause for concern, she wanted to ensure members were informed. Spaw confirmed that enhanced DPS presence would continue at the Capitol as the investigation remains ongoing.
Investigators are currently seeking search warrants for the suspect’s electronic devices to identify any potential accomplices and to understand the significance of the targeted date.
Drug use and political frustration… another tragic combination we seem to hear about far too often lately.
Unbelievable he thought this would actually succeed. Who plans a mass shooting and then just hangs around waiting?
Enhanced security at the Capitol sounds like a good precaution while the investigation wraps up.
This is scary. He was stocking up on ammo while everyone else was just living their lives.
Glad it was foiled, but why do these tips often come from people watching him rather than stopping him sooner?