The FBI thwarted an alleged plot to use drones and sniper teams to harm attendees at Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 celebration at the White House, according to federal officials. 

The suspected masterminds planned to use explosive drones to hit buildings nearby to cause confusion and force an evacuation of the event, the officials told Fox News. 

Then, during the scramble, the plotters allegedly hoped that attendees would be steered towards their sniper team in waiting, the officials added. 

After that, the suspects allegedly planned a ‘second wave’ attack that involved rushing the White House gates, officials revealed. 

As of Monday, five people were taken into custody in connection with the plan. Investigators have identified 23 people potentially involved in planning. 

At least three suspects have been identified. Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas were arrested in California and charged with conspiracy to commit murder; Tycen Proper, 19, was arrested in Ohio. 

The White House event drew around 4,300 attendees, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and countless other top Cabinet officials. 

Speaking at the G7 in France, Trump said he had not been told about the plot.  

‘I haven’t heard about it, no,’ the President said. ‘The attack I watched were the fighters,’ he quipped, eliciting laughs from the room. 

The FBI and local authorities allegedly thwarted a plot to use explosive drones and sniper teams to target UFC Freedom 250 attendees. The event was attended by Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and countless other top Cabinet officials 

One suspect allegedly told authorities the group was targeting ‘capitalist elites’ and ‘billionaires.’ Above, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg huddles with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

‘Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,’ FBI Director Kash Patel said of the plot

Just outside of the White House on the National Mall, thousands of people were in the area watching the UFC fights. June is a popular time for tourists to come to Washington, too, and America 250 events have drawn large crowds to the city. 

Federal affidavit excerpts first obtained by Fox News show detailed maps of Washington DC and the White House.

They also show two marked areas for sniper teams and drones.

The document includes images of an American-flag-painted bullpup rifle, an AR-style rifle, a plate carrier and multiple magazines allegedly turned in to authorities by Proper’s parents. 

Officials said the FBI was first tipped off to the scary plot on June 10 and worked with law enforcement to find probable cause for an arrest. One suspect was taken into custody in Cincinnati, according to officials. 

The plotters allegedly discussed their plans in encrypted Signal chats, which investigators later accessed. 

Officials said that at least 23 Signal users were involved in discussing the alleged plan, including operational details on how to carry it out. 

Some of those in the chat went so far as to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, around June 12 or June 13 to prepare for the attack. The town is just about an hour’s drive south of Washington. 

One suspect allegedly told authorities the group was targeting ‘capitalist elites’ and ‘billionaires.’

Several billionaires were there, including Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, Paramount and CBS boss David Ellison, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and others. 

Many in the presidential line of succession were also at the Sunday evening event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and FBI Director Kash Patel were all there. 

Also on the alleged target list were politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), according to sources. 

Ivanka Trump shared photos from President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 UFC fight at the White House

Many US officials in the presidential line of succession, including VP JD Vance, above, were in attendance at the UFC fight

Thousands of fans were in the area to watch at the White House and on the National Mall

‘Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,’ Patel said of the plot. 

‘We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens – particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight. That’s exactly what we did here,’ Patel said. 

At least 12 FBI field offices were involved in thwarting the plan. 

‘The US Secret Service worked closely with the FBI throughout this investigation,’ Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement. 

‘In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.’ 

The FBI has been contacted for comment.