Corpus Christi, TX — February 26, 2025
Authorities in Texas have arrested a 21-year-old suspect accused of plotting a "mass casualty attack" against police officers, a plan allegedly modeled after the deadly 2016 Dallas police ambush that claimed five lives. The suspect, identified as Seth "Andrea" Gregori, was apprehended Monday morning by the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) following an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The arrest has drawn attention not only for the severity of the alleged threat but also for the suspect’s reported gender transition, adding a layer of complexity to an already high-profile case.
According to a statement from the CCPD, the FBI was alerted earlier this month to terroristic threats made by Gregori against local law enforcement officers. The subsequent investigation revealed what authorities describe as a chilling blueprint for violence, with Gregori allegedly expressing "clear planning, intent, and steps taken" to execute an ambush-style assault on police in Corpus Christi. Court records obtained by ABC News indicate that the suspect drew direct inspiration from Micah Xavier Johnson, the gunman responsible for the 2016 Dallas attack. That incident, carried out during a Black Lives Matter protest on July 7, 2016, saw Johnson fatally shoot five officers and injure nine others, motivated by anger over police shootings of Black men.
The FBI’s Houston Field Office, which spearheaded the investigation, confirmed that Gregori’s scheme mirrored the tactics used in Dallas. "FBI Corpus Christi and local partners have thwarted another mass casualty attack," the agency announced in a social media post, crediting collaboration with the CCPD for the swift action. Gregori was arrested on state charges of making terroristic threats, filed through the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office, and remains in custody at the Nueces County Jail on a $50K bond.
Investigative details paint a disturbing picture of premeditation. A friend of Gregori’s reportedly tipped off authorities on February 6, alleging the suspect possessed an AR-15 pistol and harbored a desire to target CCPD officers. Over months of text message exchanges, Gregori allegedly shared plans to replicate the Dallas ambush, even referencing Johnson by name. "Yes, I’ve planned on shooting and killing cops as much as I could like Micah planned it for years," one message reportedly read. The suspect also sent images of an AR receiver and surreptitiously photographed local officers, reenacting the Dallas scenario in messages, according to an arrest affidavit.
Authorities note that Gregori emphasized avoiding civilian casualties, claiming sharpshooting skills would allow for precision targeting of police. The suspect reportedly scoped out downtown Corpus Christi as a potential site, citing its resemblance to the Dallas setting. The friend provided investigators with 71 pages of evidence, including texts and images tied to the 2016 crime scene, underscoring the depth of Gregori’s fixation.
The case has sparked additional discussion due to Gregori’s gender identity. Born male, Gregori identifies as female, according to CCPD Senior Officer Antonio Contreras. Official records reflect this duality: while Gregori’s driver’s license lists him as male, Nueces County Jail logs designate the suspect as female under the name Andrea Lozano Gregori. This aspect has fueled online speculation, though law enforcement has focused solely on the threat itself.
The 2016 Dallas ambush remains a somber benchmark for law enforcement, marking the deadliest attack on U.S. police since 9/11. Johnson, a former U.S. Army reservist, was killed by a bomb-carrying robot deployed by police—the first such use of lethal robotics in American policing. The incident capped a tense period of national unrest over police brutality, leaving a lasting imprint on public safety discourse.
For Corpus Christi, the thwarted plot underscores the vigilance of local and federal agencies. "The Corpus Christi Police Department greatly appreciates the assistance of our local, state, and federal partners in helping to keep our community safe," the department said in a statement. As the investigation continues, authorities have remained tight-lipped about further specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Gregori’s arrest comes amid a reported uptick in threats against law enforcement nationwide, with preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund showing a 25% increase in line-of-duty deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year. As this story develops, it serves as a stark reminder of the persistent risks faced by those tasked with public protection—and the critical role of cooperation in averting tragedy. 17GEN4.com
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