Texas authorities arrested a San Antonio-area man early Wednesday after investigators said he threatened to carry out a shooting at the Texas State Capitol and made statements calling for people associated with a pro-Israel organization to be “exterminated.”
Texas Department of Public Safety SWAT officers arrested Benny Caldera Jr., 40, around 3 a.m. at his home in Converse, about 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio. DPS said Caldera was planning an attack on the Capitol for Thursday, Oct. 1, and that the agency worked with the FBI after receiving what officials described as credible information about the threat.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, investigators spoke with a friend of Caldera who said he “had made verbal threats to assault the Texas State Capitol Building.” The friend told authorities that Caldera said, “I love you, if you don’t see me again,” before adding, “I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up.”
The affidavit said Caldera also expressed anger at AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and said “these people have to be exterminated.” Authorities did not identify a specific lawmaker or other individual as a target.
Caldera was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a felony charge of making a terroristic threat against a public servant and was released on a $75,000 bond. Later Wednesday, the FBI arrested him again at the jail on additional federal charges connected to the alleged plot. DPS said he was transferred to federal custody, where he remained.
Bexar County court records show Caldera was previously charged in November 2023 with unlawfully carrying a weapon.
DPS officials notified Texas lawmakers about the threat and arrest Wednesday. The Capitol remained open during regular hours, and authorities said they had no reason to believe there was an ongoing threat to the building, lawmakers, staff or the public. Officers were expected to maintain an increased presence at the Capitol as a precaution.
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