White House UFC event foiled as teen and four others arrested in drone attack plot

Federal agents arrested 19‑year‑old Tycen Proper of Ohio and four other men from California, Missouri and Nebraska after a mother reported her son's plans to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn. The suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and other offenses for allegedly plotting a coordinated drone strike on the octagon, followed by sniper fire on officials and high‑value guests attending the event celebrating President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The group, which communicated via the encrypted app Signal and organized through a TikTok channel called “Vanguard of the Old,” expressed ultra‑religious, anti‑government and extremist views. Ideologue Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, known as “Shepherd,” was identified as the planner, urging co‑conspirators to acquire as many lethal drones as possible. Law‑enforcement seized firearms, ammunition, explosives and drone components during the raids. UFC president Dana White remarked, “This type of event brings out the crazies, that’s normal.”

The arrests were announced by the FBI on June 7, noting that the plot was uncovered days before the event, which was attended by senior U.S. officials including Vice President J.D. Vance and tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg.