Suspect in string of Fort Worth car arsons linked to viral social media video made by overseas extremist group, police say

Evan Banda, 17, was arrested and charged with the arsons, terrorism and possession of child porn, Fort Worth police said.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A teenager arrested in connection with a string of south Fort Worth car arsons has been linked to a viral social media video developed overseas by an extremist hate group, police said Tuesday.

The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) said, on Jan. 6, it became aware of a concerning video shared across multiple social media platforms, which depicted an individual wearing a hockey mask delivering explicit threats of mass violence, stating intentions to kill indiscriminately, and expressing a lack of regard for human life. 

Police said the video was initially posted on an unnamed social media platform but had since widely circulated on additional accounts, prompting concern in the public. After investigating, Fort Worth police said they had reason to believe the video was developed overseas by an extremist hate group.

Fort Worth PD continued to monitor the social media activity on these social accounts and found more threatening messages and videos, including footage of Crowley Middle School. Fort Worth police, in coordination with the Fort Worth Arson Unit, determined that the videos and messages threatening mass violence were connected to several videos linked to five arson incidents on the south side of Fort Worth.

Evan Banda, 17, was identified as the suspect in the arson cases. Banda was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 8 and charged with multiple counts of arson. According to FWPD, investigators determined through interviews and evidence processing that Banda was the one responsible for recording Crowley Middle School and tied him to a violent extremist organization.

Police said Banda acted in support of extremist ideologies and was charged with Terroristic Threat and Terrorism, which jail records also show. Investigators also found evidence to charge Banda with possession of child pornography, police said.

Although Banda is 17 years old, Fort Worth police have said he’ll be charged as an adult.