AUSTIN – This morning, members of the Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin, awarded DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Amarillo a Unit Citation in recognition of their efforts and swift, decisive actions that prevented a mass July 4th attack in Northwest Texas last year. Their work resulted in the arrest of Kevin Hunt, now 19, who pled guilty to federal charges for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction on April 29, 2026.

In February 2025, DPS CID Amarillo was closely monitoring Hunt following his release from a juvenile mental health program and subsequent intensive supervision probation. Investigators continued to evaluate Hunt’s digital communications, social media activity, surveillance indicators and renewed grievance-based ideations. In the months that followed, Hunt showed concerning social media activity, including self-harm and a desire to commit a mass-casualty.