FBI Stops ISIS-Inspired Store Attack

Adriana Stone 0 2 min read

FBI Stops ISIS-Inspired Store Attack

The FBI says agents in Charlotte stopped a planned New Year’s Eve attack in North Carolina.

Authorities arrested 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill. He was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors say Sturdivant planned to attack a grocery store. He allegedly intended to use knives and hammers and discussed getting a firearm to add to the plan.

According to the Justice Department, the plot unfolded online. Sturdivant communicated with someone he thought was tied to ISIS. That person was actually an undercover federal agent.

“During his online communications with the OC, Sturdivant said, ‘I will do jihad soon,’ and proclaimed he was ‘a soldier of the state,’ meaning ISIS,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, according to Fox News.

“In subsequent online communications with the OC, Sturdivant indicated that he planned to attack a specific grocery store in North Carolina and discussed plans to purchase a firearm to use along with the knives during the attack,” the DOJ said.

Federal officials say the investigation and the undercover work prevented the attack. The case points to the way online chats can be used by investigators to stop plots before they reach the street.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the agents and partners involved. He called the arrest an example of continuous work by counterterror teams over the holidays.

“The FBI and our partners continued working 24/7 over the holidays protecting the American people, and this case out of Charlotte foiling another alleged New Years Eve attacker is the latest example of their tremendous work,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Our teams quickly identified the threat and acted decisively — no doubt saving American lives in the process. Thanks to our Joint Terrorism Task Force and regional partners both in New York and Western North Carolina for their efforts.”

The FBI also posted about the case on social media and said the Charlotte field office would hold a press conference with more details.

The @FBI and partners foiled another potential New Year’s Eve attack from an individual allegedly inspired by ISIS. @FBICharlotte will be speaking at a press conference shortly with more details. Thanks to our great partners for working with us and undoubtedly saving lives.

Fox News carried live coverage of the FBI news conference and reported on the charges and investigation.

Details are still emerging. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office said they will release more information at the Charlotte briefing.

For now, the message from law enforcement is straightforward. The threat was stopped. The suspects are in custody. Investigators say their work saved lives.

We will update this story as officials release more facts at the press conference.

Send this to a friend