FBI Detains 17-Year-Old Accused of Plotting to Kill Rep. Keith Self

The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a 17-year-old from McKinney, Texas, on charges that the teen plotted to assassinate Rep. Keith Self. Self, a Republican representing Texas' third congressional district, is currently seeking a third term in office. Campaign officials confirmed the details of the plot to NBC 5, noting that the situation prompted the congressman to increase his personal security measures as early voting periods continued across the state.

According to Self's campaign manager, the arrest took place on Oct. 5. The congressional team was not directly notified by the FBI at that time. Instead, they learned of the detention on Oct. 6 through the U.S. Capitol Police. Investigators believed the teenager had been radicalized and was under federal surveillance. Authorities also indicated that the suspect was planning a broader terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS, with Self as a specific target.

The intended target date for the attack was Oct. 17. The suspect allegedly planned to strike during a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans. This event was scheduled to feature former Dallas Cowboys players and several high-profile guests. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for further comment but has not yet responded to inquiries.

Rep. Self stated that his response to the threat was shaped by his background in the military. He noted that his previous deployments helped him remain calm rather than panicked. “Having deployed into combat zones several times, I'm happy it happened to me because people that have never dealt with this before tend to freak out when somebody tells you that somebody's trying to kill you,” Self said. He explained that the team focused on determining if the suspect was acting as a lone wolf.

Self added that his wife, who served as a military spouse for 25 years, also took the threat seriously. He acknowledged that while he had received threats in the past, this was the first instance where the concern was significant enough to result in an arrest. “We knew there were threats, but nothing has risen to the level of an arrest,” he said. “That's what makes this different.”

Despite the alleged plot, Self attended the Oct. 17 event as scheduled. He reported that he judged 19 different chilies and three pots of beans without any incident occurring. The congressman has continued his campaign activities, including poll greeting and meeting with voters. He stated that the situation will not stop him from alerting the American public to what he describes as a concerning political ideology.

The arrest coincides with Self's recent legislative activity regarding religious law. In September, he introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution that denounces Sharia law and opposes its implementation in the United States. The resolution asserts that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. This stance aligns with local debates in his district, where McKinney residents have focused on plans for a new mosque.

In August, the McKinney City Council unanimously approved a site plan for the expansion of a local mosque. The vote came after hours of contentious public comment. Following the approval, there was an effort to recall several council members. The mosque expansion and the congressional resolution have kept the topic of Sharia law in the public eye within the district.

Evan Hunt, Self's opponent in the midterm election, reacted to the news by condemning the alleged assassination plot in a social media post. The identity of the 17-year-old suspect has not been released to the public. This decision is standard procedure while the investigation remains active.

What happens next will depend on the outcome of the federal investigation. The teen's identity may be revealed once the case progresses further. For now, Rep. Self continues his campaign schedule, maintaining a visible presence in the district while federal agents monitor the situation.