Feds, Texas law enforcement thwart attempted mass shooting targeting capitol

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(The Center Square) – Federal and state law enforcement say they have thwarted a potential mass shooting event targeting the state capitol building in Austin. The alleged shooter was reportedly angry about pro-Israel policy in Texas and the U.S. and said members of a Jewish lobbyist group “should be exterminated.” 

The attack was planned for Thursday, Oct. 1, as state lawmakers and staff are working on interim session issues and tourists and school children visit the capitol.  

The Texas Department of Public Safety said it received information about a San Antonio-area resident planning to cause a mass casualty attack at the capitol building on Thursda. Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division Special Agents took the threat seriously and found it to be credible, the agency said. Working with the FBI, they launched an investigation and a search for the suspect. 

On Wednesday morning, a DPS SWAT team located Benny Caldera Jr., 40, at his residence in Converse, a northeastern San Antonio suburb. He was taken into custody and held in Bexar County Jail. 

Late Wednesday night, FBI agents arrested him at the jail. He faces federal and state charges connected to the alleged planned attack. He remains in federal custody. 

One of Caldera’s friends reportedly tipped off Texas DPS, telling investigators Caldera allegedly told him, “I am going to the Capitol, and I am going to shoot it up,” NBC 5 DFW News reported. The motive was reportedly related to Israel. 

According to arrest documents, Caldera told his friend, who NBC 5 DFW News reported tipped off DPS, he was angry at the pro-Israel lobbying group, AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee), saying, "these people have to be exterminated,” NBC News reported.

After his arrest, Texas DPS said, “There is no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to the Texas State Capitol. DPS will continue an increased posture at the Texas Capitol and encourages ALL Texans to remain vigilant.” 

In response, Gov. Greg Abbott thanked Texas DPS and the FBI for stopping the planned attack, saying, “Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol.”

FBI Director Kash Patel also praised the work of FBI agents and Texas DPS saying they stood “shoulder-to-shoulder with our state and local partners. Within HOURS of tip, @TxDPS had the main suspect in custody with @FBISanAntonio and local law enforcement assisting.” 

A federal and state investigation is ongoing. 

The attack was thwarted after Texas DPS has expanded operations at the state capitol under the direction of Abbott. A Texas DPS Capitol Area Strike Team, a specialized team dedicated to protecting the state capitol, is in its fifth year of operation. 

Established in September 2021, CAST is tasked with maintaining a safe environment for lawmakers, state employees, visitors, dignitaries and providing rapid response to emerging threats and operational needs. They continue to maintain “a vigilant security posture focused on detecting, deterring and responding to potential threats while supporting the safe and orderly conduct of legislative business,” DPS said.

After the alleged planned attack, Texas DPS has increased security at the capitol.  

The arrest comes less than one week before the third anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Since then, antisemitic incidents have exponentially increased in Texas and nationwide. 

In 2025, of the 10 states with the most incidents reported, Texas ranked eighth, according an Anti-Defamation League report. Harris, Dallas and Travis counties accounted for 65% of the incidents reported in the state with Houston accounting for nearly 25% of incidents statewide, The Center Square reported.

Abbott has also increased security and the legislature surged funds to protect Jewish entities, houses of worship and organizations as antisemitic threats persist. The state has also surged anti-terrorism resources statewide, with Abbott directing DPS to surge its Anti-Terrorism Task Force resources “to aggressively combat radical jihadist terrorism,” The Center Square reported.