Authorities arrested two teenagers in connection with an alleged antisemitic plot to drive a vehicle through a Houston synagogue congregation and kill as many Jews as possible. Angelina Han Hicks, 18, of Lexington, North Carolina, faced felony charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon after her arrest on Wednesday. A 16-year-old juvenile in Harris County, Texas, was charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder.

The FBI's Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force launched a multi-state investigation Tuesday evening following a tip to North Carolina law enforcement about a planned mass casualty event at a Jewish day school near Houston. Court documents described the conspiracy targeting Congregation Beth Israel, Texas's oldest Jewish house of worship, founded in the 1850s. The plot called for ramming a car through worshippers on April 21, 2028, though officials expressed concern about a possible imminent threat. The affiliated Shlenker School, a preschool and elementary on the synagogue campus, was also referenced as a potential target.

Hicks appeared in Davidson County District Court on Wednesday, where Judge Carlton Terry set her bond at $10 million, citing risks if she contacted co-conspirators. "The conspiracy is to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation at the synagogue," prosecutors stated in filings. Her next court date is May 13. Houston police, with FBI and Alief Independent School District assistance, arrested the juvenile on Thursday. Two other males, identified only as "Angel" and "Teegan," remain at large.

The synagogue and school closed on Wednesday out of caution but reopened Thursday, with increased law enforcement patrols around Houston Jewish sites. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston emphasized community safety. Houston police reported no other credible threats.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the rapid response on social media Thursday, stating it "likely saved lives." Senior Assistant District Attorney Alan Martin noted concerns of an imminent event despite the distant planned date.

Hicks' family disputed the allegations. Her father called the charges "way over the top" and described online activity as a "fantasy game," noting she lacks a driver's license, vehicle access, or firearm experience and is developmentally disabled. Her attorney, Chad Freeman, said the case is early-stage and her youth may factor into defense plans involving experts.

The plot follows a March 2026 truck ramming at a Detroit-area synagogue that killed a security guard. The FBI investigation continues.