Man arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the Texas Capitol, authorities say

Texas Capitol Remains Open After Arrest in Alleged Attack Plot

Activelifezero.com – Texas authorities arrested a 40-year-old man before dawn Wednesday after receiving information that he was allegedly preparing a violent attack connected to the Texas Capitol in Austin.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the information concerned a potential attack planned for Thursday. The agency received the tip Tuesday evening and moved quickly to investigate, leading to an arrest at about 3 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in Converse, a city near San Antonio.

Benny Caldera Jr. was taken into custody and jailed. He could face several charges, including a felony count of terroristic threat against a public servant, DPS said. Authorities have not publicly described the alleged plan or identified any specific intended targets, citing the continuing investigation.

Security Presence Increased at Capitol

State lawmakers were informed of the threat and arrest early Wednesday. The Texas Capitol continued normal public operations, remaining open during its regular hours despite the investigation.

Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw told lawmakers that security at the Capitol would be heightened while authorities continue their work. The added precautions reflect the seriousness with which state officials are treating the reported threat, while also allowing government activity and public access to continue.

The Texas Capitol is the center of state legislative business in Austin, housing the Texas Legislature as well as offices and public spaces used by visitors. A security increase can involve closer monitoring of entrances, additional law-enforcement personnel and other protective measures that officials may not fully detail while an investigation is active.

Officials did not announce any closure, evacuation or change to standard operating hours. For people planning to visit the Capitol, the immediate practical effect was expected to be more visible security and potentially additional screening or delays entering the building.

FBI Assisted State Authorities

Gov. Greg Abbott said the FBI assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety with the arrest. His statement emphasized that threats involving the state’s seat of government will be met with a law-enforcement response.

“Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol,” the governor said in a statement on social media.

The case remains under investigation, and the information released so far does not establish what actions Caldera is alleged to have taken beyond the reported planning concern. An arrest and potential charges are accusations, and any criminal case would proceed through the legal process.

A message seeking comment was left for John Bunk, an attorney listed for Caldera. No response was immediately made public.

Investigation Still Developing

The sequence of events shows how quickly authorities responded after the initial information arrived. DPS said the warning came Tuesday evening, with SWAT officers making the arrest several hours later in Converse. The reported timing of the alleged attack — Thursday in Austin — meant investigators were working against a short deadline.

Law-enforcement agencies often withhold operational details in active cases to protect investigative steps, avoid compromising potential evidence and preserve security measures. That limits what can be publicly disclosed about alleged motives, weapons, communications or whether anyone else may have been involved.

The public information available Wednesday centered on the arrest, the prospective felony terroristic-threat charge and the decision to raise security at the Capitol. No further details about the alleged plot were provided by officials.

For Texas lawmakers, employees and Capitol visitors, the episode serves as a reminder that security precautions can change rapidly when authorities identify a possible threat. The Capitol’s continued opening signaled that officials believed they could maintain normal access while increasing protection around the building.

Additional updates may clarify the allegations against Caldera, whether formal charges are filed and what evidence investigators say led them to act. Until then, state and federal authorities remain focused on the ongoing investigation and security at the Texas Capitol.