Teen arrested after plotting to hit Texas lawmaker at chili cook-off

A 17-year-old resident of McKinney, Texas, is now in federal custody following an alleged plot to assassinate U.S. Representative Keith Self. The arrest, carried out by the FBI on October 5, marks a significant escalation in threats faced by the North Texas congressman, who is currently seeking a third term in office. Campaign officials confirmed the details to NBC 5, noting that the incident has prompted a heightened security posture for the lawmaker as early voting continues across the state.

The congressman’s team first learned of the detention through the U.S. Capitol Police on October 6. Investigators indicated that the teenager had been under federal monitoring and was believed to be radicalized. According to the information shared with the campaign, the teen was planning a terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS). The specific target was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans scheduled for October 17, an event that was set to include former Dallas Cowboys players and other high-profile guests.

Rep. Self, a Republican representing Texas’ third congressional district, stated that his response was shaped by his background in the military. He noted that while many might panic upon learning someone is plotting their death, his experience in combat zones allowed him to remain calm. "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 primary concern was determining if the suspect was a lone wolf, but the situation was taken seriously regardless.

The congressman’s wife, who served as a military spouse for 25 years, was also deeply aware of the risks involved. "My wife was a military wife for 25 years. She sent me off several times and so she's taking it very seriously as well," Self noted. While the representative has received threats in the past, this is the first time one has resulted in an arrest. "We knew there were threats, but nothing has risen to the level of an arrest," he said, adding that the seriousness of the plot made this incident distinct from previous warnings.

Despite the alleged plan to target him during the October 17 event, Self attended the fundraiser as scheduled. He reported that he judged 19 different chilies and three pots of beans, describing the day as delightful and noting that nothing occurred. "It was a delightful time and nothing, of course, happened," he recalled. The campaign team increased their situational awareness during the event, but the congressman maintained his usual schedule.

Since the arrest, Self has continued his campaign activities without interruption. He has been out poll-greeting and meeting with voters daily. "We continued our activities and just watched what was going on around us," he said. "I've been out poll greeting this morning. And every day I've been out poll greeting, meeting voters. So we're going to continue to go." He emphasized that the threat would not deter him from alerting the American people to what he views as a specific political ideology.

The incident unfolds against a backdrop of political debate within Self’s district, which includes McKinney. In September, the representative introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution denouncing Sharia law and affirming that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. This stance aligns with local discussions, including a contentious vote in August where the McKinney City Council unanimously approved a site plan for the expansion of a local mosque. That decision followed hours of public comment and was subsequently followed by an effort to recall several council members.

The teenager’s identity has not yet been released to the public as the investigation remains ongoing. The FBI’s Dallas office was reached for additional information but has not yet responded. Evan Hunt, Self’s opponent in the upcoming midterm election, issued a condemnation of the alleged plot on social media. For now, the focus remains on the safety of the congressman and the broader implications of the federal investigation.

The arrest highlights the growing complexities of political campaigns in the region, where national ideological debates often intersect with local community issues. As the election cycle progresses, the campaign for the third congressional district continues to move forward, with both the representative and his team maintaining a vigilant but steady course.