A 45-year-old Katy man, identified as Robert Leroy Bowers, was detained and charged in La Grange Saturday, after allegedly making threats against Texas state lawmakers, according to authorities. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which made the arrest, said there was a "credible threat" connected to the "No Kings" protest event at the State Capitol. The investigation led to Bowers' vehicle being stopped by a trooper, revealing the presence of a firearm, as reported by KXAN.
The Fayette County Jail booking records reflect that Bowers is currently being held, charged with the offense of operating a motor vehicle with one plate. At this time, no bail has been set. The Fayette County Record confirms his association with the threats toward lawmakers, which emerged shortly after an incident in Minnesota where a state lawmaker was killed in an attack that holds the stain of political motivation.
Amid heightened alertness emanating from the Minnesota tragedy, Texas lawmakers had been internally warned of potential threats just as the "No Kings" demonstration geared up to contest perceived autocratic tendencies within the Trump administration. A regional intelligence alert had previously flagged Bowers’ vehicle, leading to his encounter with law enforcement. The protest in Austin, part of over a thousand like events nationwide, proceeded amid the added scrutiny and safety precautions.
Following the evacuation of the Capitol building and grounds by the DPS, normal proceedings resumed after law enforcement secured the area and mitigated any immediate threat. Officials, while speaking to KXAN, mentioned that although there isn't a continued threat, the investigation into the incident remains active. The timing of these events casts a somber note over political gatherings, serving as a stark reminder of an increasingly polarized and tense national atmosphere.
