The Texas Department of Public Safety has honored members of its Criminal Investigations Division in Amarillo for their work investigating and disrupting an alleged plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack at a Fourth of July event in Canyon in 2025.
DPS and the Public Safety Commission presented the CID Amarillo team with a Unit Citation on Thursday, recognizing the investigation that led to the arrest and federal prosecution of 19-year-old Kevin Alexander Hunt.
Hunt agreed in April to plead guilty to one federal count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and was rearraigned on the charge in July. He is scheduled to be sentenced in September.
According to DPS, the investigation into Hunt began months before his July 2025 arrest.
DPS said CID Amarillo began monitoring Hunt in February 2025 following his release from a juvenile mental health program and subsequent probation. Investigators evaluated his digital communications and social media activity during the following months.
DPS said Hunt displayed “concerning social media activity, including self-harm and a desire to commit a mass-casualty attack. He also demonstrated continuous grievances and ideations on social media that caused concern that he may be planning a targeted attack.”
Court documents previously reported on in the case alleged Hunt was also seen surveying the published route for Canyon's 2025 Fourth of July parade and taking “numerous” photographs.
Hunt was detained on an emergency mental health warrant on July 2, 2025, following a joint investigation involving DPS CID, the Amarillo Police Department and the Randall County District Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement subsequently obtained a search warrant for Hunt’s home. DPS said investigators allegedly discovered “several materials used to make explosive devices, multiple firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition.”
Hunt was initially arrested on allegations that he possessed components of explosives. Court documents accused him of knowingly possessing components of an explosive weapon, including HMTD, hexamine, citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, energetic powder, BBs or shot from shotgun shells, electric matches or a pyrotechnic firing device.
Court documents further alleged Hunt intended to combine the components for use in committing a violent crime, including possible capital murder, aggravated assault or terrorism.
A federal grand jury indicted Hunt on the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction charge in September 2025. DPS said Hunt was also indicted on state charges related to components of explosives, terrorism and attempted capital murder of multiple people.
According to DPS, cooperation between CID Amarillo and other law enforcement agencies ultimately led to the federal indictment, which required approval from the U.S. Department of Justice.
DPS said the Unit Citation recognizes the Amarillo investigators for their “hard work and dedication in disrupting a credible mass-casualty terrorist plot and protecting the public.”
The team members receiving the award were Lt. William “Bill” Brown, Lt. Jered Snelgrooe, Lt. Robert “Ben” Dollar, Special Agent Logan Eastburn, Special Agent Christopher Ecker, Special Agent Alex Gallagher, Special Agent Micah Goodrich, Special Agent Shannon Henderson, Special Agent Norman “Joe” Livermore, Special Agent Jimmy Phoutthavong, Special Agent Kendall Styles, Special Agent Aaron Tarnutzer and Special Agent Trevor Dillard.
Hunt’s federal sentencing is scheduled for September. His state charges are expected to go to trial in Randall County later in 2026.
The investigation has also resulted in charges against another person. In July, a second person was indicted in alleged connection with Hunt’s case on charges of hindering prosecution of terrorism and tampering with evidence. DPS said she was taken into custody in California and extradited to Texas.
