FBI arrests 17-year-old for alleged ISIS-backed plot to assassinate Rep. Keith Self

The FBI arrested an unidentified 17-year-old boy in McKinney, Texas, on October 5, 2026, for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired assassination plot against U.S. Representative Keith Self. The suspect acquired a firearm and targeted Self at a public cook-off after becoming radicalized online. Self, co-founder of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, linked the plot to his anti-Sharia advocacy and a public local controversy over a mosque site in McKinney, while reaffirming his resolve to remain in office.

FBI arrests Texas teen

• ▪The 17-year-old suspect from McKinney, Texas, remains in federal custody following his arrest by the FBI over an alleged plot against Rep. Keith Self
• ▪The FBI arrested an unidentified 17-year-old boy from McKinney, Texas, on October 5, 2026, for allegedly plotting an assassination on behalf of ISIS

ISIS-inspired assassination plot

• ▪The 17-year-old suspect from McKinney, Texas, obtained a firearm despite being a minor and planned to execute the assassination of Rep. Keith Self at a public cook-off
• ▪Capitol Police communicated with the FBI regarding online comments made by a 17-year-old suspect from McKinney, Texas, subsequently notifying Rep. Keith Self that he was targeted for an October 17, 2026 attack

Keith Self anti-Sharia advocacy

• ▪Rep. Keith Self stated publicly that preserving the constitutional republic from radical Islam requires accepting the costs of threats and that the ISIS-inspired plot to assassinate him strengthens his resolve
• ▪Rep. Keith Self co-founded the Sharia-Free America Caucus alongside Rep. Chip Roy in December 2025 and introduced a bill to protect the Constitution in July 2026 targeting Sharia law

McKinney mosque site controversy

• ▪Rep. Keith Self spoke at the McKinney city council meeting regarding the mosque site approval and attributed media attention from that vote as a factor in being targeted
• ▪Rep. Keith Self stated that a recall vote was underway against the McKinney city council following its unanimous August 2026 approval of a site plan for a local mosque

Congressional security threats

• ▪Rep. Keith Self stated that threats against members of Congress occur routinely, but confirmed that law enforcement rarely makes arrests for explicit assassination attempts
• ▪Rep. Keith Self stated that his security team was prepared to address potential copycat threats following the disclosure of the plot to assassinate him