Christian Sturdivant
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has thwarted a planned ISIS-inspired terror attack intended to be carried out on New Year’s Eve, arresting an 18-year-old suspect in North Carolina, authorities announced on Friday.
The suspect, Christian Sturdivant, of Mint Hill, North Carolina, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, after investigators uncovered plans to launch a mass-casualty attack using knives and hammers at a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant.
Announcing the arrest in a statement, FBI Director Kash Patel said Sturdivant allegedly sought to act in support of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and aspired to become a “martyr” for the extremist group.
“The accused allegedly wanted to be a soldier for ISIS and made plans to commit a violent attack on New Year’s Eve, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that,” Patel said.
He stressed the importance of intelligence sharing and close collaboration among law enforcement agencies in preventing terror attacks.
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“Anyone who supports ISIS or other terrorist groups cannot hide and will be held accountable in our justice system,” he added.
Investigators said notes recovered from the suspect’s home detailed plans to inflict maximum harm and spread fear nationwide. Law enforcement officials also recovered weapons believed to have been earmarked for the attack.
Confirming the development, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the swift action by federal and local authorities saved lives.
“This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve,” Bondi said.
She reaffirmed the Department of Justice’s commitment to pursuing extremist threats.
“Anyone plotting to commit such depraved attacks will face the full force of the law,” she added.
Sturdivant has been remanded in custody and is expected to face trial in federal court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison under U.S. anti-terrorism laws.
The foiled plot comes amid heightened counter-terrorism operations across the United States, as authorities continue to monitor and disrupt threats posed by self-radicalised individuals and ISIS sympathisers, particularly during major public holidays.
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