Grace Carol Brown is accused of smashing a window, unlawfully entering the Comal County Republican Party headquarters, and starting a deliberate fire inside.
A 21-year-old Texas woman has been charged with arson and burglary after allegedly breaking into and setting fire to a Republican Party headquarters in New Braunfels, an incident GOP leaders say reflects a troubling escalation of political extremism.
Newsmax reported that authorities identified the suspect as Grace Carol Brown, who was arrested on January 22, 2026, following a joint investigation involving local law enforcement and the FBI. Brown is accused of smashing an exterior window, unlawfully entering the Comal County Republican Party headquarters, and starting a deliberate fire inside the building.
According to officials, employees arriving at the headquarters on January 14 discovered broken windows and evidence of a small fire, prompting an immediate response from the New Braunfels Police Department and Fire Department. The fire caused minor damage, and no injuries were reported, but Republican officials emphasized that the act appeared intentional and targeted. Police said investigators from the New Braunfels Police Department, the New Braunfels Fire Marshal’s Office, and the FBI’s San Antonio office worked together to identify the suspect, gather evidence, and obtain search and arrest warrants.