The FBI announced on Friday that it had foiled a planned New Year's Eve terrorist attack in North Carolina, allegedly inspired by the Islamic State (IS). The suspect, 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant from the town of Mint Hill near Charlotte, was arrested on 31 December as he was being released from a medical facility. He faces charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.
According to court documents, investigators uncovered knives and hammers hidden under Sturdivant's bed during a search of his home on 29 December, along with detailed notes outlining a plan to attack a grocery store and a restaurant. The notes reportedly indicated the suspect intended to target Jews, Christians and members of the LGBTQ+ community, and to die as a 'martyr' by attacking police officers who responded to the scene.
Authorities revealed that Sturdivant had been radicalised online, using an Islamic State website and maintaining a TikTok account that posted content supporting the terrorist group. He unwittingly pledged allegiance to an undercover New York police officer whom he believed to be an IS affiliate. During communications in December, he shared a photo of two hammers and a knife, sent a voice note pledging allegiance, and asked for help obtaining firearms for the attack.
FBI Special Agent James Barnacle noted that Sturdivant had first come to the attention of the bureau in 2022, when at age 14 he was in contact with a known IS member overseas. At that time, his family intervened, and the case was closed without charges after he was referred for psychological care. Sturdivant made his initial court appearance on Friday and remains in federal custody. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
