Suspicions of a plot to attack the Texas Capitol, one person arrested

A 40-year-old man was arrested early on Wednesday on suspicion of plotting to attack the Texas state Capitol. The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement that it had received credible information about an individual who was planning a violent attack for Thursday in Austin.

Benny Caldera Jr. told a friend, according to a statement: “I’m going to go to the Capitol and shoot it up.”

“I love you, if you don’t see me again”, Caldera is said to have told his friend, police wrote in the arrest documents.

Caldera had expressed anger toward the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), NBC 5 DFW reported.

“These people must be exterminated”, Caldera is said to have said.

The information came in on Tuesday evening and SWAT officers arrested Caldera at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday at a residence in Converse, Texas, near San Antonio.

Caldera has been charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant, court records show. He was released after posting a $75,000 bond.

Messages were left seeking comment from a lawyer listed for Caldera.

Public safety officials notified state lawmakers of the threat and the arrest early on Wednesday. The Capitol remained open during regular working hours.

Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw said in a notice that there will be increased security measures at the Capitol during the investigation.

Governor Greg Abbott said the state DPS was assisted by the FBI in making the arrest.

“Texas will not tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol”, the governor said in a statement on social media.