Suspect arrested after threats against Texas state lawmakers participating in anti-Trump protest
Several federal, state and city elected officials were scheduled to speak at a protest in downtown Austin Saturday evening.
A suspect was arrested in connection to threats against Texas state lawmakers who were planning to attend an anti-Trump rally on Saturday in Austin, according to the Texas Department of Safety.
The Texas Capitol and surrounding grounds were evacuated over the threats.
The DPS alert went out to state legislators and legislative staffers, the Texas Tribune reported, hours after two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot Saturday morning, resulting in two deaths.
Several federal, state and city elected officials were scheduled to speak at a protest in downtown Austin at 5 p.m. Central Daylight Time.
Jeffrey Clemmons, communications director for state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat, told the Tribune that DPS had arrested a “copycat person who was going to agitate the protest.” Clemmons had no more details. The identity of the suspect has not been released. Eckhardt is among the elected officials scheduled to speak at the event. A DPS spokesperson confirmed the arrest, and said there was no additional active threat.