FBI stopped alleged terror plot to attack UFC 250 event with drones and snipers, officials said

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The FBI stopped a terror plot involving as many as two dozen perpetrators to attack Sunday’s UFC 250 fight at the White House with explosive-laden drones and snipers, officials told Just the News on Tuesday.

At least five people have been arrested, and agents are working to identify as many as 18 others who appeared to be involved in the planning on encrypted chats communicating with the alleged plotters, officials said.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrests, first reported by Fox News, in a statement obtained by Just the News.

“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region – and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel said.

“While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team – we are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens – particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight,” he added.

A dozen FBI offices around the country were involved in the investigation, and one of the first arrests occurred in Cincinnati, officials said.

Officials said they believed the goal of the plot was to attack the site of the fight on the White House South Lawn with one or more explosive-laden drones, causing panicked fans to flee into areas where snipers would then shoot them.

Officials said more details would likely emerge when indictments are filed in court against some of the perpetrators in the coming days.

Editor’s Note: John Solomon is temporarily working as an unpaid member of a government transparency task force helping to identify information that can be released to the public. During the temporary assignment, he has stepped down as Editor In Chief of Just the News.