NYE ISIS terror attack thwarted in North Carolina

A New Year’s Eve terrorist attack in North Carolina was stopped by law enforcement, according to details from US Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson. 

Federal investigators allege that 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill, NC, was radicalized online by ISIS and planned a terror attack using knives and hammers against a fast-food restaurant and grocery store in the area. 

During a Friday press conference, Ferguson highlighted that Sturdivant was speaking online to an undercover agent from the NYPD whom he believed was a member of the ISIS terror group. 

“He pledged his allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent, and he disclosed his plans to quote, do jihad soon,” said Ferguson. “He then met a second undercover with the FBI, who he also thought was an ISIS participant, and he started to be very specific with his plans. He talked with that undercover agent, again who he thought was ISIS, he talked about where he was planning to do this attack, which was at a grocery store and a fast food restaurant in Mint Hill, places that we go every day, and don’t think that we may be harmed.” 

According to officials, Sturdivant has been charged with “attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization,” which has a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years. 

“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,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “It is essential to work closely with our law enforcement partners and to quickly share information about potential threats, as demonstrated in this case. 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.”

James Barnacle, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, provided additional details of the events leading up to the New Year’s Eve arrest of Sturdivant. 

“After several FBI offices around this country and the New York Police Department alerted the Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force of a TikTok account username, AbuBarkerAlAmeriki, who made multiple posts in support of ISIS, Sturdivant was identified as the account holder,” Barnacle said. “And with federal search warrants, the FBI obtained his previous posts to assess the extent of threats to the homeland.” 

In 2022, while still a minor, Sturdivant drew the attention of the FBI after contacting suspected ISIS affiliates overseas through social media. Investigators say he was instructed to dress in all black, knock on doors, and attack people with hammers. According to Barnacle, his family intervened before any violence occurred, and Sturdivant was referred for psychological treatment. No charges were filed. 

“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. “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.”

Both Ferguson and Barnacle thanked local, state, and federal law enforcement for working through the holiday to maintain surveillance on Sturdivant. 

Barnacle highlighted the very real threat of online radicalization and urged friends and family to report any suspicious activity. 

“This investigation highlights the very real threat posed by people who self-radicalize online and are inspired by jihadist ideologies espoused by foreign terrorist organizations,” Barnacle said. “They seek to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons and with little to no warning. We rely on the communities we serve and encourage the public to contact law enforcement when they see or hear something that doesn’t seem right. I also have this personal message. If your child, relative, friend, or neighbor is sliding into a dangerous ideology, you’ll be the first to see it.” 

“NYE ISIS terror attack thwarted in North Carolina” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.