Fort Worth teen charged in arson, terrorism and threat case

Police have charged 17-year-old Evan Banda with arson, terrorism, terroristic threat and related offenses after linking him to a series of car fires and threatening social media videos tied to an extremist hate group.
Police have charged 17-year-old Evan Banda with arson, terrorism, terroristic threat and related offenses after linking him to a series of car fires and threatening social media videos tied to an extremist hate group. Photo credit Fort Worth PD

Police have charged 17-year-old Evan Banda with arson, terrorism, terroristic threat and related offenses after linking him to a series of car fires and threatening social media videos tied to an extremist hate group.

Banda was arrested Jan. 8 and is being held in the Tarrant County Jail on a $1.9 million bond, according to jail records.

Fort Worth police said the investigation began after a threatening video circulated online Jan. 6, and detectives later tied additional videos of car fires and footage of a local middle school to Banda.

In addition to arson and terror charges, officials said evidence also led to a possession of child pornography charge; authorities did not publicly name the extremist organization referenced in the videos as the investigation continues.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Fort Worth PD