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

Texas Capitol Remains Open After Arrest in Alleged Attack Plot

Healfromzero.com – Texas authorities arrested a 40-year-old man early Wednesday after receiving information that he was allegedly preparing a violent attack connected to the Texas Capitol in Austin. The planned date referenced in the threat was Thursday, prompting an immediate law-enforcement response and heightened security around the statehouse.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the information arrived Tuesday evening and was considered credible. SWAT officers later took Benny Caldera Jr. into custody at roughly 3 a.m. Wednesday at a home in Converse, a city near San Antonio.

Caldera was jailed and may face charges that include felony terroristic threat against a public servant. No formal outcome in the case was described, and authorities have not publicly outlined the specific actions investigators believe were being planned. A message seeking comment was left for John Bunk, an attorney listed for Caldera.

Investigation Limits Public Details

Officials have withheld further information about the alleged plot while the investigation continues. That means details such as a possible motive, the intended method of attack, whether any weapons were involved, and whether other people may have been connected have not been released.

The limited public disclosure reflects the active nature of the case. Investigators may need to review communications, identify potential evidence, assess whether any additional risks remain, and determine whether the information that prompted the arrest points to a broader concern. Until authorities provide more findings, the allegations against Caldera remain allegations.

The Department of Public Safety informed Texas lawmakers of the threat and arrest early Wednesday. State officials did not announce a closure of the Capitol, and the building continued operating during its normal hours.

More Security at the Capitol

Visitors, employees and lawmakers can expect an increased security presence as the investigation proceeds. Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw advised that additional security measures would be in place at the Capitol during that period.

The Texas Capitol serves as a working government building as well as a major public destination in downtown Austin. Its operations involve legislators, state employees, visitors, school groups and people attending hearings or other public business. Keeping the building open while strengthening security allows government activity to continue while officials address a potential threat.

In practical terms, increased security can involve more visible law-enforcement personnel, closer monitoring of entrances, or additional screening procedures. Authorities did not detail the particular measures being used. People planning to visit the Capitol should allow extra time and follow directions from security officers and building staff.

State leaders emphasized that threats aimed at public institutions will be treated as serious criminal matters. Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety received assistance from the FBI during the operation that led to the arrest.

“Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol,”

The governor’s statement underscored the state’s position that alleged threats against government facilities and public officials demand a swift response. The involvement of state and federal law enforcement also illustrates how agencies can work together when a possible threat crosses jurisdictions or requires specialized investigative resources.

What Happens Next

The investigation will determine what evidence supports any eventual charges and whether further action is needed to protect the Capitol or other locations. Prosecutors would need to review the case before deciding whether to pursue charges, and Caldera would have the right to legal representation and to contest the allegations in court.

For now, the central facts made public are that authorities received a Tuesday-evening tip involving a possible Thursday attack, SWAT officers arrested Caldera early Wednesday in Converse, and security has been increased in Austin. The absence of further specifics should not be read as a conclusion about the investigation; it reflects that officials have chosen not to disclose operational details while their work is ongoing.

The Capitol’s regular opening also carries an important message for the public: state services and legislative operations have not been suspended. At the same time, the added precautions show that officials are treating the reported threat seriously and are maintaining a visible protective posture around one of Texas’ most significant public buildings.

Additional information may emerge as investigators complete interviews, evaluate evidence and clarify the nature of the alleged plan. Until then, officials have urged vigilance through their actions, including notifying lawmakers, coordinating with federal authorities and reinforcing security at the Capitol.