Most Americans have the idea of “if you see something, say something” burned into their minds. But acting on it — especially when what you see is a family member behaving worryingly — can be a little tougher.

Family members of Tycen Proper, of Danville, Ohio, made the right decision and had the courage to follow through with it. In doing so, they may have saved many lives.

Proper was allegedly part of what the U.S. Department of Justice has described as a plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 June 14.

He is 19 years old and facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds.

He came to the attention of federal law enforcement because his family reported his tactical preparations and massive collection of firearms and ammunition. They also told investigators, among other things, that he had become closed off and was making sympathetic comments about Adolf Hitler.

These are the people who knew Proper best. They knew something was wrong, and their guts told them this was not going to be a frivolous report. In fact, investigators say after they intervened due to the family’s concerns, they found evidence through encrypted messaging apps that confirmed detailed tactical mapping and coordination for the alleged assault. (Four others are also accused in the alleged plot.)

It could not have been easy for Proper’s family to come to that decision, knowing the consequences for him if he is found guilty. But the consequences for everyone attending that event — if the family members were right about what was going on, and it was not stopped — would have been far more devastating, and they understood that.

What comes next for them will not be easy, no matter how this case plays out. We must hope they can at least rest a little easier knowing they did exactly the right thing.