San Antonio law enforcement took a Texas man into custody in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 29, moving swiftly to neutralize what investigators described as a credible threat of mass violence directed at a major conservative gathering set to draw thousands of women to the city’s famous River Walk next week.
Jacob Wenske, a 26-year-old San Antonio resident, now sits behind bars on $120,000 bond.
Prosecutors hit him with two felony counts of making a terroristic threat causing public fear — charges that carry serious prison time in the state of Texas, KSAT reported.
The threat trail began in April when a local newspaper ran a Facebook post promoting Turning Point USA’s upcoming Women’s Leadership Summit. Wenske took to the comment section and typed, “I know exactly where to bomb.”
That chilling post did not stand alone. Wenske returned to the same comment thread and wrote, “I can’t wait to be the valet for her escort.”
Investigators quickly took note of that seemingly cryptic line — court records reveal Wenske previously held employment with a parking management company that provided valet services to hotels and special events.
Law enforcement determined the valet reference signaled far more than a passing remark.
Authorities concluded the comment suggested prior knowledge of the venue, possible surveillance of event entry points, and intent consistent with planning a mass-casualty attack.
Digging deeper, investigators uncovered an email sent from an account registered to Wenske in January 2026.
The message left no room for ambiguity: “Death to Erika Kirk and every single speaker there!! America will live on without those scum on this earth.
Every Christian nationalist shall perish in the bombing that will take place at every single Turning Point rally and event.”
The target of those threats, Erika Kirk, stepped into the role of Turning Point USA CEO following the murder of her husband, Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a Turning Point event at Utah Valley University in September 2025.
Kirk is slated to serve as a featured speaker at the Women’s Leadership Summit, a three-day event scheduled to run from June 5 through June 7 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk — one of the most visited tourist corridors in all of Texas.
The event is expected to draw more than 2,500 attendees. Following Wenske’s arrest, event security officials increased the number of uniformed officers and additional security personnel assigned to protect the summit and its guests.
Turning Point USA credited both local police and federal law enforcement with moving quickly to neutralize the situation.
The organization released a statement saying, “Turning Point USA takes all threats seriously and we work closely with law enforcement at all levels to respond to and resolve any threats.
We are grateful to the San Antonio Police Department and the FBI for their rapid response and arrest of the individual making these threats.”
The group’s statement continued: “The safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff is always our top priority. All TPUSA events include enhanced, multi-layered security measures that are enforced by both private security and local police.”
Turning Point USA further declared that the arrest would not disrupt their plans, stating, “We refuse to let threats silence us.
We look forward to a successful and inspiring gathering June 5–7 in San Antonio for 2,500+ ladies attending the Women’s Leadership Summit!”
Kirk herself has faced a pattern of threats since assuming leadership of the organization. She previously withdrew from a separate event due to threats of violence made against her.
Wenske’s court-appointed attorney, Ninfa Carrillo, did not respond to requests for comment as of Thursday evening.
The arrest marks another instance of threats directed at Turning Point USA events and personnel.
In a separate 2023 case, a San Antonio man received a five-year federal prison sentence after threatening a mass attack at a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Florida.
The Women’s Leadership Summit proceeds as planned. Wenske remains in the Bexar County jail as his case moves through the legal system.
