FBI Detains 17-Year-Old in Alleged Plot to Assassinate Rep. Keith Self

North Texas politics have taken on a higher security profile after federal investigators moved to stop a suspected assassination attempt on a sitting member of Congress. The latest developments confirm that a 17-year-old from McKinney was taken into custody by the FBI in connection with an alleged plot to kill Representative Keith Self. Self, a Republican representing Texas’ third congressional district, is currently seeking his third term in office.

Campaign officials disclosed that the apprehension occurred on Oct. 5, with the congressional team receiving formal notification from U.S. Capitol Police the following day. Investigators told the campaign that federal agents had been monitoring the teenager, who was believed to be radicalized and planning a terrorist attack in the name of ISIS. The primary target was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans scheduled for Oct. 17, an event expected to draw former Dallas Cowboys players and other high-profile guests.

In response to the news, Self’s team increased its situational awareness while early voting proceeds across the state. The congressman stated that his background in military combat zones allowed him to maintain composure, noting that he understood the need to determine whether the suspect was a lone wolf. His wife, a military spouse for 25 years, also viewed the threat with serious gravity, and both acknowledged that while they had received threats previously, this was the first to result in an arrest.

Despite the heightened security, Self attended the Oct. 17 fundraiser as planned. He reported judging 19 varieties of chili and three pots of beans without incident. Since the event, the congressman has continued his campaign schedule, including polling places and voter meetings, insisting that the plot will not deter him from highlighting what he describes as a concerning political ideology.

The alleged plot coincides with Self’s prominent advocacy against Sharia law, a stance that gained traction after he introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution in September. The resolution affirms the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land. This national position intersects with local debates in his district, where the McKinney City Council unanimously approved expansion plans for a local mosque in August. That decision followed hours of contentious public comment and was subsequently linked to a recall effort against several council members.

Evan Hunt, Self’s opponent in the upcoming midterm election, also reacted to the news by condemning the alleged assassination plot on social media. As the federal investigation continues, the identity of the arrested teenager has not been made public. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for additional details but had not responded at the time of publication.