What happened
A 40-year-old man, Benny Caldera Jr., was arrested at his home in Converse, Texas, for allegedly threatening to shoot up the Texas state Capitol in Austin. The suspect made verbal threats to a friend, expressing anger towards the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an Israel-linked lobbying organization.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Caldera stated, 'I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up.' He also allegedly said, 'These people have to be exterminated,' referring to AIPAC. The friend reported the threats to the authorities, leading to Caldera's arrest.
Law enforcement officials received a tip about the alleged plot and determined it was a credible threat. The FBI and Texas DPS worked together to apprehend the suspect, who was taken into custody at 3 a.m. on Wednesday. Caldera was booked into Bexar County Jail and given a $75,000 bond before being transferred to federal custody.
Caldera has been charged with a third-degree felony for making a terroristic threat against a public servant at the state level. Federal charges have not yet been announced. The suspect had previously been charged with carrying a weapon without a license in November 2023.
Increased law enforcement presence is in place at the Capitol, and officials believe there is no current threat. Governor Greg Abbott stated, 'Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol.' The arrest occurred just one day before President Donald Trump's visit to Texas, where he is scheduled to speak at a factory outside Dallas.
