In a concerning breach during a tense international situation, a 66-year-old Arkansas resident, Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, was detained after breaching a South Carolina nuclear facility’s perimeter. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office recently reported the arrest after a short search following Whisenhunt’s terrifying intrusion at the Oconee Nuclear Station.

The incident unfolded when Whisenhunt, driving a Toyota Camry, smashed through a South Carolina nuclear plant’s fence. Authorities report that Whisenhunt aimed his vehicle at a security guard in what appeared to be an attempt to hurt or kill the man.

South Carolina authorities have arrested a 66-year-old Arkansas man they say drove through the gate of a nuclear plant in Oconee County and attempted to run down security officers.https://t.co/NYuuymplv6

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 4, 2023

After eluding capture briefly, Whisenhunt was discovered on Friday in an abandoned building within Pickens County. His still-unexplained cruise that left serious damage to the nuclear plant’s external security barriers has raised serious security concerns.

The intense scene took place in Seneca, South Carolina, a state where 50% of the electricity for its entire population is generated from nuclear power. The state has four nuclear power plants within its borders, with most residents living inside nuclear emergency planning zones. So, this kind of event is especially concerning now, given the reported increased risk of terrorism in the US and conflicts across the world that could potentially lead to an attack on U.S. nuclear plants.

Holy Crap! This happened last night at the Oconee Nuclear Power Plant!
👇click on…🤔🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/t5gLGplQ4g

— ⚔Dennis⚔ (@clovis1931) November 3, 2023

Whisenhunt’s presence on the nuclear site was unauthorized, and officials have yet to disclose his motives. He now faces several criminal charges, including attempted murder and unlawful entry.

The security breach has called into question the security at critical infrastructure sites in America and has put law enforcement on high alert. Events across the world have had security personnel in the U.S. watching their surroundings closely for risks, including the recent terrorist attack in Israel and the growing risks of hostile encounters with geopolitical adversaries across the world with vast spy networks and histories of infiltrating U.S. organizations and institutions — like, for instance, China.

Authorities are investigating after a car crashed into a nuclear power plant in South Carolina. The driver is accused of smashing through a barricade, running through a fence and trying to hit several security guards. @PierreTABC reports. https://t.co/jzQsGpts7r pic.twitter.com/Rj1sbPBBOO

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) November 4, 2023