Feds Prevented New Year’s Eve Terror Attack By ISIS-Inspired North Carolina Man

Federal authorities announced Friday that they stopped an ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve attack in North Carolina before it could be carried out.

Eighteen-year-old suspect Christian Sturdivant, of Mint Hill near Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Officials said Sturdivant planned to strike a local grocery store and the Burger King where he worked, using knives and hammers in an attack inspired by ISIS propaganda.

The criminal complaint, filed Dec. 31 and unsealed Friday, says Sturdivant was preparing for what he hoped would be a “martyrdom” operation.

“The accused allegedly wanted to be a soldier for ISIS and made plans to commit a violent attack on New Year’s Eve in support of that terrorist group, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “The message from the FBI is clear — anyone who supports ISIS or other terrorist groups cannot hide and will be held accountable in our justice system.”

Authorities said Sturdivant had been consuming large amounts of ISIS propaganda online and even made social media posts promoting the terrorist group. One post included an image of two miniature Jesus figurines with the caption, “May Allah curse the cross worshipers.”