Ohio Teen Charged With Plotting Attack at UFC Event at the White House

A 19-year-old from Ohio is facing federal charges after authorities say he planned a coordinated attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event held Sunday at the White House.

Tycen Proper was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, attempted murder of a federal officer or employee, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony.

The FBI say the case began when Proper's mother called police in Ohio last week, telling them she had concerns about her son's "recent conduct," which included buying firearms, researching locations near Washington, D.C., and communicating with unknown individuals online and by phone. Knox County Sheriff's officers searched the family home and found thousands of rounds of ammunition, an AR-style rifle, and a recently purchased rifle.

The FBI says that in interviews with investigators, Proper described the attack plan in detail. According to the bureau, the plan called for drones to fly explosives near the UFC arena while snipers waited to open fire on people fleeing in the aftermath of the explosions.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was asked about the plot Tuesday and praised the agencies that stopped it. "I want to congratulate the FBI and law enforcement," DeWine said. "It is very scary. The thought that something would have happened there is just absolutely horrible. We live in difficult times, and there are people out there who are inclined and capable of doing very bad things. Thank God that law enforcement did what they did."

A detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Ohio.