Police have arrested an arson suspect for terrorism after linking him to a violent extremist group that threatened schools across Texas. Evan Banda was arrested on January 8 for allegedly committing five arsons in Fort Worth from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, according to a press release. Now, the Fort Worth Police Department said he is tied to a “violent extremist hate organization” that threatened school shootings across the state – including in DFW. “The investigation revealed that Evan Banda acted in support of extremist ideologies,” the release reads. Banda is facing charges including terrorism, terroristic threat, possession of child pornography, and five counts of arson, according to Tarrant County Jail records. (…) She said the suspects are claiming ties to the online Ukrainian “violent accelerationist group” MKY, which translates to “Maniac Murder Cult.” “The actors that were behind the threats to the Dallas schools claim to be members of an MKY group,” Spinks told DX. “That particular group that they’re claiming to be a part of is directly connected to 764.” 764 works with an online network of “nihilistic violent extremists” to incite violence across the world to bring “social unrest and the downfall of the current world order,” according to the Department of Justice. A San Antonio-based member of the group pleaded guilty to RICO and child exploitation in December. 764 shares close ties to MKY, per the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. The groups require members to record acts of violence like child exploitation and arson, then upload them online.
via dallasexpress: Fort Worth Teen Arrested For Arson Spree, Faces Terrorism Charges Tied To Extremist Group