AUSTIN – This morning, members of the Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin, awarded DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Amarillo a Unit Citation in recognition of their efforts and swift, decisive actions that prevented a mass July 4th attack in Northwest Texas last year. Their work resulted in the arrest of Kevin Hunt, now 19, who pled guilty to federal charges for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction on April 29, 2026.
In February 2025, DPS CID Amarillo was closely monitoring Hunt following his release from a juvenile mental health program and subsequent intensive supervision probation. Investigators continued to evaluate Hunt’s digital communications, social media activity, surveillance indicators and renewed grievance-based ideations. In the months that followed, Hunt showed concerning social media activity, including self-harm and a desire to commit a mass-casualty attack. He also demonstrated continuous grievances and ideations on social media that caused concern that he may be planning a targeted attack. When Hunt was observed conducting activities consistent with site surveillance ahead of local Independence Day festivities, DPS CID Amarillo acted immediately.
On July 2, 2025, Hunt was detained on an emergency mental health warrant following a joint investigation between DPS CID, the Amarillo Police Department and the Randall Co. District Attorney’s Office. Working alongside the Randall Co. District Attorney’s Office, DPS CID also obtained an evidentiary search warrant for Hunt’s residence. The search led to the seizure of multiple firearms, high-capacity magazines loaded with armor-piercing and full-metal-jacket rounds, components consistent with improvised explosive devices, materials used to manufacture an explosive compound and digital evidence, including instructions for explosive manufacture and a self-authored manifesto. Hunt also admitted to producing explosive compounds.
Hunt was federally indicted on charges for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction on Sept. 10, 2025, and indicted on state charges of components of explosives and terrorism and attempted capital murder of multiple persons. He pled guilty to federal charges on April 29, 2026.
CID Amarillo’s joint efforts with law enforcement partners ultimately resulted in Hunt’s federal indictment for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, which required approval from the U.S. Department of Justice. He pled guilty to all federal charges on April 29, 2026, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
Hunt was also indicted on state charges for possession of components of explosives and attempted capital murder of multiple persons – the first state-level terrorism charge of its kind in Texas. His trial for those charges is slated to take place in Randall Co. later this year.
Most recently, on July 15, 2026, a co-conspirator was indicted by a state grand jury for hindering prosecution of terrorism and tampering/fabricating physical evidence. She was taken into custody a few days later and was extradited from California to Texas.
In recognition of their hard work and dedication in disrupting a credible mass-casualty terrorist plot and protecting the public, DPS CID Amarillo Lieutenants William “Bill” Brown, Jered Snelgrooe and Robert “Ben” Dollar; and Special Agents Logan Eastburn, Christopher Ecker, Alex Gallagher, Micah Goodrich, Shannon Henderson, Norman “Joe” Livermore, Jimmy Phoutthavong, Kendall Styles, Aaron Tarnutzer and Trevor Dillard were awarded the Unit Citation.
Please join us in congratulating these award recipients.
