Man Arrested For ISIS-Linked Assassination Plot Targeting GOP Congressman

Federal authorities have arrested a 17-year-old Texas teenager accused of plotting to assassinate Republican Rep. Keith Self at a public event in McKinney, Texas, as part of an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist attack planned for North Texas.

According to federal law enforcement sources cited by WFAA, the FBI arrested the teenager on October 5 after investigators learned he had obtained a firearm, escalating concerns about a potential attack targeting the congressman.

The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released because of his age, faces federal charges connected to the alleged assassination plot. Prosecutors are reportedly seeking to have him tried as an adult.

Investigators believe the teenager had recently become radicalized after consuming ISIS propaganda online and was already under federal surveillance before his arrest.

Authorities reportedly moved in after discovering that he had acquired a gun, preventing the alleged plot from advancing further.

The intended target was Rep. Self, a Republican representing Texas’ 3rd Congressional District and a 25-year military veteran.

According to investigators, the teenager allegedly planned to attack Self on October 17 while the congressman was scheduled to judge a chili cook-off at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in McKinney.

The alleged assassination attempt was reportedly part of a broader terrorist plot targeting North Texas that same weekend.

A federal law enforcement source briefed on the investigation told WFAA that the planned violence was inspired by ISIS, the terrorist organization responsible for deadly attacks around the world.

Self confirmed that he and his family were safe following the suspect’s arrest and issued a statement addressing the threat.

“Protecting our Constitutional Republic from radical Islam is getting messy. I served in the military for 25 years with the mindset that defending freedom was worth the sacrifice. Our elected leaders should govern with that same mindset,” the congressman told WFAA.

The reported plot raises serious questions about the continued threat of online terrorist recruitment and the ability of extremist organizations to influence individuals inside the United States.

According to the report, the teenager’s alleged radicalization occurred through ISIS-related material available online, highlighting concerns about extremist propaganda reaching young Americans.

Federal authorities had reportedly been monitoring the suspect before he obtained the firearm, allowing agents to intervene more than a week before the planned October 17 attack.

The congressman was also asked whether his outspoken positions on radical Islam may have contributed to his selection as a target.

Self acknowledged that he suspected a connection but emphasized that he could not establish the alleged attacker’s motive with certainty.

“If it’s ISIS related, you kind of have to believe that. I can’t prove that. I don’t know that for sure. But you have to follow the [old saying] if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck,” he said.

The alleged assassination plot comes amid continuing concerns about threats directed at elected officials and the potential for extremist violence at public political events.

The fact that Self was reportedly targeted while preparing to attend a community chili cook-off underscores the security challenges facing lawmakers who regularly interact with constituents outside heavily protected government facilities.

Self later released a separate statement on X thanking federal investigators for stopping the alleged attack and declaring that the threat would not prevent him from carrying out his responsibilities in Congress.

“I am grateful to the FBI and law enforcement for stopping this threat. My family and I are safe, and I remain focused on serving the people of Texas’ 3rd District. Preserving our constitutional republic from radical Islam means accepting the costs that come with it—name-calling, threats, and worse. Our Founders believed this country was worth the sacrifice. I served 25 years in the military because defending freedom was worth the sacrifice. This only strengthens my resolve. I will not back down,” the congressman said.

The suspect reportedly remains in federal custody as prosecutors pursue the case.

Because the accused is a juvenile, authorities have not publicly disclosed his identity, and additional details about the alleged plot remain limited.

The Justice Department and FBI had not released a separate public statement outlining further evidence or specific case details at the time of the original report.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

For now, the reported arrest has prevented the alleged October 17 attack from taking place, while federal prosecutors seek to move forward with the case against the teenager.

The case centers on a chilling allegation: A 17-year-old who investigators believe was radicalized by ISIS propaganda allegedly obtained a firearm and planned to assassinate a sitting member of Congress at a community event before federal agents intervened.