Texas DPS Agents Honored for Stopping Planned July 4 Mass Attack in Panhandle

AUSTIN, Texas – Members of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division in Amarillo have received a Unit Citation for their work disrupting a planned mass-casualty attack ahead of July 4 celebrations in the Texas Panhandle last year.

The Public Safety Commission and DPS Col. Freeman F. Martin presented the award in late August to investigators involved in the case against Kevin Hunt, now 19.

Hunt pleaded guilty April 29, 2026, to a federal charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and is scheduled to be sentenced next month. He also faces state charges stemming from the investigation.

DPS said its Amarillo CID began closely monitoring Hunt in February 2025 after his release from a juvenile mental health program and placement on intensive supervision probation.

Investigators monitored digital communications, social media activity and other indicators that authorities said showed escalating grievances and an interest in carrying out a mass-casualty attack.

The investigation intensified as Independence Day approached. DPS said Hunt was observed engaging in activity consistent with surveillance of potential locations ahead of local July 4 festivities.

On July 2, 2025, authorities detained Hunt under an emergency mental health warrant following a joint investigation involving DPS CID, the Amarillo Police Department and Randall County District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators also obtained a search warrant for Hunt’s residence.

According to DPS, the search uncovered multiple firearms, high-capacity magazines containing armor-piercing and full-metal-jacket ammunition, components consistent with improvised explosive devices and materials that could be used to manufacture an explosive compound.

Investigators also recovered digital instructions for making explosives and what authorities described as a manifesto written by Hunt. DPS said Hunt admitted producing explosive compounds.

A federal grand jury indicted Hunt on Sept. 10, 2025, on the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction charge. He subsequently pleaded guilty.

Hunt was also indicted in state court on charges that include possession of components of explosives and attempted capital murder of multiple people. His state case is expected to go to trial in Randall County later this year.

The investigation has also resulted in charges against another person. DPS said a woman described as a co-conspirator was indicted by a state grand jury July 15, 2026, on charges of hindering prosecution of terrorism and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. She was later arrested in California and extradited to Texas.

DPS recognized Amarillo CID Lt. William “Bill” Brown, Lt. Jered Snelgrooe and Lt. Robert “Ben” Dollar, along with Special Agents Logan Eastburn, Christopher Ecker, Alex Gallagher, Micah Goodrich, Shannon Henderson, Norman “Joe” Livermore, Jimmy Phoutthavong, Kendall Styles, Aaron Tarnutzer and Trevor Dillard with the Unit Citation.