Keith Self says FBI arrested teen plotting to strike at chili cook-off

Congressman Keith Self is running for a third term in the Texas House of Representatives. That campaign took a sudden turn when federal law enforcement moved to stop an alleged plot against his life. A 17-year-old from McKinney has been arrested by the FBI. Officials say the teen was planning to assassinate Self during a public event.

The timeline of the investigation is now clear. Self's campaign manager stated that the FBI took the teen into custody on Oct. 5. The congressional team did not learn of the arrest until Oct. 6. They received the news through the U.S. Capitol Police. Investigators told the campaign that the teen had been radicalized. The young man was already under surveillance by federal agents at the time of his arrest.

The plot allegedly centered on a specific target. The teen was said to be planning a terrorist attack in the name of ISIS. The intended moment of action was set for Oct. 17. That date marked a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans. The event featured former Cowboys players and several high-profile guests. Self was scheduled to attend and judge the food at the gathering.

Self has responded with a calm demeanor. He relies on his background in the military to process the threat. He told NBC 5 that he has deployed to combat zones several times. He said that experience helped him stay composed. He noted that people without that history often panic when told someone is trying to kill them. For Self, the reaction was measured. He focused on determining if the teen was acting alone.

The congressman said the arrest allowed his team to manage the risk. He understood the situation could still be serious. However, the fact that the suspect was already in custody changed the dynamic. He did not view the news as a traumatic event. He believes his personal history prepared him for the moment better than it would have prepared some of his colleagues.

His wife played a key role in his response. She served as a military spouse for 25 years. She sent him off on multiple deployments. She understands the inherent risks of public service. She is taking the situation very seriously as well. Her experience provided a sense of stability during the initial shock of the news.

Self has received threats in the past. But none had reached the level of an arrest before. He said that distinction made this incident feel different. The seriousness of the FBI involvement was a major factor. His team understood the potential for a significant incident. They increased their situational awareness immediately upon learning of the arrest.

Despite the plot, Self did not skip the event. He attended the chili cook-off as planned on Oct. 17. He judged 19 different chilies. He also evaluated three pots of beans. He described the time as delightful. Nothing happened during the event. He felt the security measures were adequate for the occasion.

The campaign has not slowed down. Self continues to poll greet and meet voters. He said he would not let the plot deter him. He wants to alert Americans to his views on political ideology. He remains committed to doing his job. The arrest comes as he takes a strong stance against Sharia law. He introduced a resolution in September denouncing the practice. His district includes McKinney, where a new mosque expansion has drawn recent attention.

His opponent, Evan Hunt, also reacted to the news. Hunt condemned the alleged assassination plot in a social media post. The teen's identity has not been released to the public. The investigation is still ongoing. The FBI Dallas office has not yet provided additional details to reporters.