Wisconsin Teen Charged with Killing Parents in Plot to Assassinate Former President Trump
A 17-year-old Wisconsin teen allegedly murdered his parents to fund an extremist plot targeting Trump and overthrow the government, the FBI reveals in newly unsealed court documents.
Federal investigators have uncovered disturbing evidence that Nikita Casap, a high school student from Waukesha, Wisconsin, killed his mother and stepfather as part of a larger extremist plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump and "overthrow the U.S. government." The case, which has sent shockwaves through law enforcement agencies, reveals alarming connections to neo-Nazi ideology and international communications related to the planned attack.
Key Developments: From Double Homicide to Presidential Threat
Authorities allege that Casap, 17, fatally shot his mother, Tatiana Casap, 35, and his stepfather, Donald Mayer, 51, at their home outside Milwaukee in February. According to court documents, the teen killed his parents "to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary" to carry out his plan to assassinate President Trump USA TODAY1.
The bodies were discovered on February 28 after family members requested a welfare check when Mayer failed to report for work and Casap had been absent from school for approximately two weeks. Prosecutors revealed that the bodies were so badly decomposed that dental records were required for identification, indicating that the murders occurred weeks earlier Detroit News2.
Following the murders, Casap allegedly fled with $14,000 in cash, passports, the family's vehicle, and their dog. He was later apprehended in Kansas, where authorities discovered a firearm, ammunition, and the stolen cash in his possession USA TODAY1.
Evidence of Extremist Ideology and Assassination Planning
The FBI's investigation revealed deeply troubling ideological motivations behind Casap's alleged crimes. A search of the teen's phone uncovered connections to "The Order of Nine Angles," a network described by experts as a Satanic left-hand path and terrorist organization with neo-Nazi, extremist views ABC News3.
Court documents detail a three-page manifesto authored by Casap that explicitly called for the assassination of President Trump and advocated for a revolution to "save the white race." The writings included images of Adolf Hitler accompanied by the text: "HAIL HITLER HAIL THE WHITE RACE HAIL VICTORY" and contained anti-Semitic rhetoric accusing Jewish people of promoting "white genocide and degeneracy" ABC News3 USA TODAY1.
Federal investigators found evidence that Casap had "paid for, at least in part, a drone and explosives to be used as a weapon of mass destruction to commit an attack." The affidavit also states that "other parties, with whom Casap was in contact, appear to have been aware of his plan and action and to have provided assistance" ABC News3.
Official Reactions to the Plot
The Waukesha County Sheriff emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation, stating that "The charges are a result of meticulous investigation efforts emphasizing our dedication to community safety and justice" USA TODAY1.
While the Trump campaign has not issued a formal statement regarding this specific plot, security experts have noted the increasing challenges faced by the Secret Service in protecting high-profile political figures Fox6Now4.
The discovery comes amid heightened concerns about political violence in the United States. Following previous assassination attempts targeting Trump, Congress has passed legislation to bolster security for presidential candidates, with Senator John Barrasso stating, "This will give law enforcement the resources they need to keep President Trump and all of the candidates safe" Barrasso Senate Office5.
Expert Insights on Growing Extremism
The Order of Nine Angles (O9A), the extremist group Casap is allegedly connected to, has been described by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue as particularly dangerous because its "extreme, violent and sexually sadistic" teachings have spread into increasingly extreme right-wing circles ISD6.
Security experts have expressed concern about the role of online radicalization in this case. The BBC has previously reported that O9A has "acted as an influence on several neo-Nazi extremist groups, including the US-based Atomwaffen Division - linked to five murders" BBC7.
Law enforcement analysts point to the case as evidence of the growing threat posed by domestic extremism, particularly ideologies that blend anti-government sentiment with racial hatred and antisemitism. The foundation for Defense of Democracies notes that O9A's "core outlook meshes well with violent extremist doctrines that span the ideological spectrum" FDD8.
Implications for National Security and Political Protection
This case raises significant questions about the detection and prevention of politically motivated violence. According to the federal affidavit, Casap had shared his intentions with a classmate and was in communication with individuals in Russia who were allegedly part of a plot to assassinate President Trump USA TODAY1.
In response to previous threats against political figures, the Secret Service has implemented enhanced security measures, including increased agent staffing and additional bulletproof barriers at public events NBC News9.
The FBI continues to investigate potential international connections in this case, with particular focus on Casap's communications with individuals outside the United States and the extent of their involvement in the planning CNN10.
Legal Proceedings Moving Forward
Casap remains in custody on $1 million bail and faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree murder, theft, and potentially federal charges related to conspiracy, presidential assassination, and use of weapons of mass destruction USA TODAY1.
The teen had a preliminary hearing on April 9 on charges related to the deaths of his parents but did not enter a plea. His public defender, Nicole Ostrowski, has moved to dismiss some of the charges, including theft, arguing that prosecutors had not adequately laid out their case. "He's young, he is still in high school," she stated during a March 12 court appearance Detroit News2.
Casap is scheduled for arraignment in May, where further legal proceedings will continue USA TODAY1.
As this shocking case unfolds, it raises profound questions about online radicalization, domestic terrorism, and the evolving nature of threats to public officials. How can communities and authorities better identify warning signs of extremism before they escalate to violence, and what measures will prove most effective at preventing future attempts at political assassination?
