FBI Stops 17-Year-Old Plot to Assassinate Rep. Keith Self at Chili Cook-Off

Seventeen is the age of the McKinney resident now in federal custody. Investigators believe this teen plotted to assassinate Representative Keith Self. The alleged target was a high-profile chili cook-off event held on October 17. The event featured former Dallas Cowboys players and other prominent guests. It also served as a fundraiser for veterans.

The timeline of the discovery began in early October. The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested the suspect on October 5. Rep. Self’s campaign team did not learn of the arrest until October 6. That notification came via the U.S. Capitol Police. Officials said the teen had been under federal monitoring. Investigators indicated the suspect had been radicalized. They also believed the teen planned a broader terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS.

Self’s team said the specific target for the attack was the October 17 fundraiser. The campaign immediately raised its security profile. They increased situational awareness as early voting continued across the state. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for further details but had not responded as of this report.

Rep. Self, who is running for a third term, said his background in the military shaped his reaction. He stated that he remained calm because he had deployed to combat zones multiple times. He noted that people without that experience often panic when faced with such a threat. Self said his wife, a military spouse for 25 years, also understood the risks involved.

The congressman acknowledged that he had received threats in the past. However, he emphasized that this incident was different because it resulted in an arrest. He described the potential severity of the situation based on information provided to his team. Self confirmed that his team became more vigilant following the October 6 notification.

Despite the threat, Self attended the chili cook-off as scheduled. He said he judged 19 different chilies and three pots of beans. He described the event as delightful and reported that nothing happened. The congressman said he continued his campaign activities without missing a beat. He has been poll-greeting and meeting voters every day since the news broke.

Self said the incident will not deter him from his work. He intends to alert Americans to what he views as a specific political ideology. He stated that the campaign will continue to do its job. His opponent, Evan Hunt, condemned the plot in a social media post. Hunt is challenging Self in the midterm election.

The plot coincides with Self’s recent legislative focus. In September, he introduced a nonbinding resolution denouncing Sharia law. The resolution asserts that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Self’s district includes McKinney, where a new mosque expansion has sparked debate. The city council approved the site plan in August after hours of public comment. That vote was later followed by efforts to recall several council members. The teen’s identity has not been released as the investigation continues.