Federal prosecutors allege that a Nebraska man helped plan an attempted shooting and explosive drone attack at the White House UFC fight that took place on Sunday.
Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, who lives in Omaha, was charged via criminal complaint in federal court with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States. He appeared for an initial hearing Tuesday.
Alvarez is one of at least five people arrested in connection with the plot, according to reporting from CBS News. According to the complaint, the planned attack included snipers and explosive-laden drones, with the primary targets including President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who did not attend the fight) and Elon Musk.
The complaint alleges that the attack was motivated by “ultra-religious and antigovernment sentiments, specifically citing grievances about government corruption, the handling of the Epstein files, data centers taking up all the water in communities, and other government actions.”
Investigators were tipped off to the plot after the family of 19-year-old Ohio man Tycen Proper became alarmed at his amassing of firearms and extensive communication with an online group. After Proper told his family that he planned to meet up with the online group last weekend, his family called the police, and a search warrant was executed at his home and electronic devices on June 11.
According to the complaint, the search revealed that Proper was communicating with a group on TikTok called “Vanguard of the Old.” The conversations then moved to Signal, an encrypted messaging app, where the plans were discussed in greater detail.
Investigators believe that Alvarez was known as ‘Shepherd’ on TikTok and Signal and was the “primary person” involved in the planning. Messages from ‘Shepherd’ included discussions of where snipers should be placed, the building of explosive drones and escape plans after the attack.
‘Shepherd’ also identified an abandoned Methodist church in the village of Western, Nebraska, as a “fall back location.” A photo was posted to Facebook on Monday of FBI agents searching the church.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing his gratitude for investigators in thwarting the plan.
“One of the key ringleaders of this planned attack was identified by the FBI right here in Nebraska,” he said. “I am proud beyond words not only that this terrorist is now behind bars, but also that our Nebraska State Patrol provided significant support in the FBI-led operation that took him into custody.”
Alvarez will be back in court for a detention and preliminary hearing on June 24 at 2 p.m. According to an audio recording of his initial appearance, Alvarez intends to retain a private attorney.