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.”
Sturdivant began communicating around Dec. 12 with an undercover law enforcement officer. During those exchanges, he allegedly said he would “do jihad soon,” described himself as “a soldier of the state,” and sent an image of hammers and a knife, according to the criminal complaint.
During a search of his home, law enforcement officials found handwritten notes, including one titled “New Year’s Attack 2026,” laying out his plan, including a “goal of stabbing as many civilians as possible” according to the DOJ. Materials intended for use in the attack, including knives and hammers, were also hidden under his bed.
Officials said that Sturdivant planned this attack for about a year, but was planning an attack for “far longer.”
“This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. “The Department of Justice remains vigilant in our pursuit of evil ISIS sympathizers — anyone plotting to commit such depraved attacks will face the full force of the law.”
Sturdivant had been on federal authorities’ radar since 2022, when he attempted, as a minor, to attack a neighbor with a hammer and knife but was stopped by his grandfather.
Sturdivant remains in federal custody and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Charlotte, North Carolina was also the site of the brutal August murder of Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska on the light rail by a violent repeat offender. That public slaying prompted the state to enact “Iryna’s Law” cracking down on repeat offenders.
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