WV elected officials targeted in alleged terror plot at White House UFC event

Federal investigators said they've disrupted an alleged domestic terror plot targeting government officials the planners thought would be attending Sunday's UFC event at the White House. Among those identified as potential targets were West Virginia elected officials, including U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, Representatives Carol Miller and Riley Moore and Del. Tristan Leavitt. All were apparently targeted because the alleged plotters believed they were pro-Israel. Federal prosecutors said five men from four states have been arrested in connection with what investigators describe as a plot involving explosive drones and sniper attacks targeting high-profile government officials and billionaires. It appears the group embraced an accelerationist ideology, the concept that violence could be used to trigger broader political changes. "I think it's a pretty sad commentary that the voices of opposition think that threatening private citizens and United States senators is a way to solve problems,” Capito said. “It's a frightening time in some ways and I think we all need to be exceedingly careful and careful with our words." Capito was warned by the FBI last Friday, while Leavitt didn't learn he was a target until a New York Post reporter called him Tuesday. Neither attended the event. “I'm not intimidated,” Leavitt said. “I do think it's a very sad sign of our state of politics right now where everything is so toxic and policy disagreements become cause for threats of violence." According to court documents, the danger surfaced in Danville, Ohio, when they learned from family members of 19-year-old Tycen Proper that he spent $3,000 in graduation money on guns, ammunition and armor while seemingly discussing the idea of shooting someone. It appears about 20 people were involved online in at least talking about an attack. Court documents refer to an unidentified person in West Virginia who was to be part of the attack group. An investigation is ongoing. _________________________________________ Follow WCHS on social media: Facebook:   / eyewitnessnewscharleston   Twitter:   / wchs8fox11​   Instagram:   / wchs8fox11   For the latest local and national news, visit our website: https://wchstv.com/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://wchstv.com/sign-up