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The FBI announced it successfully thwarted a potential New Year's Eve terror attack in North Carolina, which was allegedly inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). According to the FBI, Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old from Mint Hill, a town near Charlotte, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the efforts of the FBI and its partners, stating, "Our teams quickly identified the threat and acted decisively — no doubt saving American lives in the process." The FBI worked alongside the Department of Justice, the New York Police Department, the Mint Hill Police Department, and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to disrupt the plot.
Prosecutors revealed that Sturdivant had been communicating online with a government covert employee whom he believed was affiliated with ISIS. During these communications, Sturdivant expressed his intention to carry out a jihad and referred to himself as "a soldier of the state," meaning ISIS. He also discussed plans to attack a specific grocery store in North Carolina, intending to use knives and a firearm.
Law enforcement discovered a note in Sturdivant's bedroom titled "New Years Attack 2026," which included a list of items such as a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and knives for the planned attack. The note also outlined a goal of stabbing 20 to 21 civilians and included a plan to attack responding police officers to achieve martyrdom. Additional items seized included hammers and butcher knives hidden under Sturdivant's bed.
"It was a very well-planned, thoughtful attack," United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson said. “He was preparing for jihad and innocent people were going to die, and we are very, very fortunate they did not.”
Sturdivant remains in federal custody and, if convicted, faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The FBI emphasized its commitment to protecting the residents of North Carolina and holding accountable those who seek to harm and terrorize the community.