Texas DPS revealed Monday that someone notified authorities that a man was on his way to a protest in Austin to harm lawmakers.
AUSTIN, Texas — Officials with Texas Department of Public Safety released more information on Monday about a “credible threat” to state lawmakers that led to an evacuation of the state Capitol grounds in Austin.
The incident happened on Saturday afternoon, shortly before a large anti-Trump “No Kings” rally. The demonstration later went on as planned.
According to DPS officials, someone notified authorities that a man was on his way to the protest to harm lawmakers.
Investigators discovered the suspect was travelling on State Highway 71 in Fayette County and stopped him for speeding.
According to DPS, the man said he had a gun in his car, so troopers seized it.
The man was arrested on a misdemeanor traffic charge and taken into custody for further questioning about the threat. So far, DPS has not filed any threat-related charges against him.
That reported threat happened the same day two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot.
Hours after that attack, 44 Texas House Democrats sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas DPS Director Freeman Martin asking what specific steps DPS will take to protect legislators and other elected officials across Texas.
Gov. Abbott addressed the issue during a property tax bill signing on Monday afternoon in Denton.
“[DPS has] a joint task forces raid around the state of Texas that all do communications where they’re gathering information, both through social media sources as well as other sources to make sure they will have the most robust source of information and be able to address this in advance,” said Abbott.
Abbott also told reporters DPS is working with both federal and local officials to gather information, adding it will elevate both its threat assessment and protection for officials when needed.
Federal lawmakers are also concerned after the Minnesota attack.
Congressman Greg Casar (D-Austin) told KVUE that congressional members plan to hold a virtual emergency meeting on Tuesday to talk about improving security protocols.
“For not just elected officials, but the people that work for elected officials, the people that want to go visit their elected officials, the people that want to go to a press conference or rally,” said Casar. “This is about the safety of everyone, and we cannot allow things to get worse from here.”