Fact Check: "The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a warning to state lawmakers about credible threats before 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023."
What We Know
On October 7, 2023, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a warning to state lawmakers regarding credible threats to their safety. This warning was sent out shortly before 1 p.m. Central Time, coinciding with heightened concerns following violent incidents involving lawmakers in Minnesota earlier that day. The DPS alert indicated that they were worried about potential copycat incidents inspired by the Minnesota shootings, which resulted in the deaths of two lawmakers and injuries to others (source-1, source-2).
The warning prompted the temporary evacuation of the Texas State Capitol grounds, and law enforcement officials confirmed that a suspect was arrested later that day in connection with the threats (source-1, source-5).
Analysis
The claim that the Texas DPS issued a warning to lawmakers before 1 p.m. is supported by multiple credible sources. The Texas Tribune and The New York Times both reported that the alert was sent out shortly before 1 p.m. and highlighted the context of the threats in relation to the tragic events in Minnesota (source-1, source-2).
The reliability of these sources is high; both are established news organizations known for their investigative journalism and fact-checking standards. The Texas Tribune, in particular, focuses on Texas-related news and has a reputation for thorough reporting on state affairs.
Furthermore, the details provided in the reports, such as the timing of the warning and the subsequent actions taken by law enforcement, align consistently across different outlets, reinforcing the credibility of the information. The reports also included statements from lawmakers who received the warning, adding a layer of firsthand accounts to the narrative (source-1, source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a warning to state lawmakers about credible threats before 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the warning was indeed sent out at that time, and it was directly related to concerns over potential violence following the tragic events in Minnesota.
Sources
- Arrest Made After 'Credible Threat' to Texas Lawmakers, Official Said
- Texas DPS makes arrest after warning state lawmakers of "credible ...
- Texas Capitol evacuated after 'credible threat' against lawmakers ...
- State leaders react after 'credible threat' to legislators at ...
- Suspect arrested in connection with threats against Texas lawmakers ...
