Family members of two men charged in an alleged plot to attack the White House during a UFC event last weekend saw warning signs before authorities foiled the plan, according to federal complaints filed in California and Ohio.
Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California, allegedly told a family member that one day they would wake up and he would be gone, and that he intended to travel to Washington, D.C., where "something big" would happen, according to the federal complaint filed in the Central District of California. Tycen Proper, 19, was charged separately in Ohio.
On June 10, Roa's family member woke up and found that Roa had left after telling relatives he planned a trip to Washington, D.C., prosecutors said. The same day, law enforcement officers in Ohio were dispatched to Proper's home after his mother reported concerns about recent firearms purchases and online communications, according to the separate federal complaint.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers and law enforcement officials have emphasized the success of interagency cooperation in disrupting these alleged plots. Senator John Cornyn of Texas said, "This is exactly what our federal-local partnership model is designed to do. Family tips led to intervention, which led to federal investigation, which prevented a potential tragedy."
Conservative commentators have focused on the online radicalization elements highlighted in both complaints. Fox News host Dan Bongino reported that authorities stopped an alleged terror plot built for "unimaginable" casualties. Representative James Comer of Kentucky noted on social media that these cases demonstrate why law enforcement needs adequate resources to monitor potential threats.
The Heritage Foundation's Center for National Defense has argued that events at the White House present unique security challenges and that any disruption of such plots validates existing security protocols. A spokesperson said, "When family members work with law enforcement rather than staying silent out of fear or distrust, outcomes like this are possible."
What the Left Is Saying
Civil liberties advocates have pointed to these cases as evidence that family members play a critical role in preventing potential attacks. Groups focused on domestic security note that early intervention through tip lines and community vigilance can help authorities disrupt plots before they materialize into violence.
Democratic lawmakers have highlighted the importance of mental health resources alongside law enforcement responses. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said in a statement, "These cases underscore how important it is for families to feel empowered to report concerning behavior without fear of retribution, and for there to be pathways to get people help before they reach a point of no return."
Progressive criminal justice reform organizations have noted the importance of ensuring that mental health crises receive appropriate responses rather than solely criminal ones. The Intercept reported that advocates are watching how authorities handle individuals like Proper, who was transported to a local hospital due to homicidal ideations before any charges were filed.
What the Numbers Show
Both federal complaints detail specific evidence gathered by investigators: Roa's vehicle was photographed in Barstow, California, on June 11 by traffic cameras, according to prosecutors. Proper allegedly spent approximately $3,000 of his graduation money on equipment including camping gear, food, ballistic plates, a new shotgun, a rifle, ammunition, extra magazines and plate carriers.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office contacted the FBI on June 11 following interactions with Proper, and federal investigators interviewed him later that day at a mental health center in Columbus, according to court documents. The FBI confirmed its investigation "is very much ongoing" but declined to comment further citing the active nature of the proceedings.
Multiple family members told law enforcement that Roa had been planning a trip to Washington, D.C., and believed he intended to commit violence during the trip because of increased time spent shooting weapons and noticeable behavioral changes including increased anxiety, irritation and seclusion. Family members also said Roa had begun spending more time with a new group of online friends within the last three months.
The Bottom Line
Both cases remain under active investigation by the FBI in multiple field offices. Authorities say family intervention played a key role in alerting law enforcement before either suspect could carry out alleged plans at the White House UFC event.
Roa faces federal charges while Proper's case is proceeding through the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Both men are being held pending further proceedings, though Roa has returned home and Proper was initially transported to a mental health facility before additional charges were filed.
What to watch: The FBI said its investigation is ongoing, suggesting more details may emerge as court proceedings advance. Legal experts say the strength of both cases will depend on evidence of specific intent and whether prosecutors can demonstrate the suspects took concrete steps toward carrying out their alleged plans.