Newly obtained court documents reveal Fort Worth police believe a series of vehicle arsons and online school threats were part of a larger plan tied to an extremist group — and investigators say much of it unfolded quietly, online.
According to an arrest warrant, 17-year-old Evan Banda admitted to joining the group just weeks before five vehicles were set on fire in his south Fort Worth neighborhood. Investigators say Banda told police he carried out the arsons because he feared he would be doxxed if he didn’t comply with the group’s demands.
Court records also shed new light on threats that sparked fear among parents and students at Crowley Middle School. Police say Banda was asked by members of the group to record video of the campus to check for a law enforcement presence. After the footage showed no officers, investigators say group members discussed using it to suggest the school could be the first target for violence…