Authorities announced on Friday that a potential New Year’s Eve terror attack in North Carolina was successfully prevented. An 18-year-old suspect, Christian Sturdivant, has been arrested for allegedly planning the attack for nearly a year. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson confirmed that Sturdivant had intentions to carry out the assault using knives and hammers.
Following a search warrant executed by the FBI at his residence, investigators discovered weapons concealed under his bed, as well as detailed notes outlining his plans for the attack. The FBI’s Charlotte field office reported that Sturdivant was “directly inspired” by ISIS.
In conversations with an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS associate, the suspect disclosed his intention to target a grocery store and a fast food restaurant in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte. Ferguson emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die.”
FBI Special Agent James Barnacle Jr. indicated that Sturdivant is a U.S. citizen who first caught the FBI’s attention in January 2022 after interacting with an unidentified ISIS member on social media. He had previously been advised by this contact to dress in black, approach individuals in their homes, and attack them with a hammer. Although Sturdivant left his home dressed in black and wielding a hammer, his family intervened before any harm could be done. After undergoing psychological treatment, he was believed to have lost access to social media, but it was reported last month that he had resumed activity online. Investigators found that he was allegedly running a TikTok account featuring multiple posts in support of ISIS.
Sturdivant was arrested on New Year’s Eve and made his first appearance in federal court on Friday morning, facing charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. This incident follows closely on the heels of separate charges brought against four members of a far-left anti-government group in Southern California for allegedly plotting bomb attacks on the same holiday.
As investigations continue, the timely intervention of law enforcement highlights the importance of vigilance in the fight against domestic terrorism. Authorities remain committed to ensuring public safety and preventing similar threats in the future.