FORT WORTH, Texas - A Fort Worth man has been arrested and charged after police say a series of disturbing online videos threatening mass violence were tied to multiple arson cases and extremist activity in the city.
The Fort Worth Police Department said officers became aware on January 6, 2026, of a video circulating across social media platforms that showed an individual wearing a hockey mask making explicit threats of indiscriminate killing and expressing disregard for human life. Investigators determined the video was first posted on one platform before spreading widely, prompting immediate concern from authorities.
Police said the video was believed to have been created overseas by an extremist hate group. As officers monitored related social media accounts, they identified additional threatening messages and videos, including footage showing Crowley Middle School. Investigators worked to determine who recorded the school video.
Through a joint investigation with the Fort Worth Fire Arson Unit, police determined the threatening videos were connected to five arson incidents on the south side of Fort Worth. Investigators identified Evan Banda as the suspect in the arson cases. He was arrested on January 8, 2026, and charged with multiple counts of arson.
Further interviews and evidence analysis linked Banda to the recording of the school video and to a violent extremist hate organization, police said. Investigators determined Banda acted in support of extremist ideologies and filed additional charges, including terroristic threat and terrorism.
Police also said evidence was discovered supporting an additional charge of possession of child pornography.
The Fort Worth Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing and that more information will be released as it becomes available.
