FBI foils ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve terror plot in North Carolina
Christian Sturdivant pledged his loyalty to ISIS. And committed himself to commit to killing Americans on New Year’s Eve. This investigation unfolded quickly. From the moment the FBI was notified of *** potential threat of *** terrorist inspired attack in North Carolina, we went all hands on deck. We assessed the credibility of the threat. The investigation lasted about 2 weeks, included numerous investigative techniques, partnerships with law enforcement agencies, and cooperation from the American public. This Christmas, the FBI and our partners worked to protect the American people. We did not let up until Sturdivant was safely in handcuffs. FBI special agents arrested him on December 31 as he was being released from *** local medical facility. On Monday night, as Russ just said, the FBI’s evidence response team conducted *** search, an authorized search at his home and on his cellular phone. What we found was *** manifesto. Which the federal complaint alleges contained detailed plans to execute *** massacre on New Year’s Eve. As people shop, you know, for the holidays without the swift action of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, New York City Police Department, the Mint Hill Police Department, and our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. We could be announcing *** national tragedy. Instead, *** terrorist attack was thwarted. Give you *** little background on Sturdivant. He’s *** US citizen. He turned 18 in December of 2025. The JTTF collected evidence showing he turned his back on his country and his fellow citizens by pledging allegiance to ISIS with the intent of becoming *** martyr. We allege Sturdivant was willing to sacrifice himself by committing *** terrorist attack using knives and *** hammer to support the murder, torture, and extreme violence that ISIS represents. We didn’t just learn about him *** few weeks ago. Sturdivant first came to the FBI’s radar in January of 2022 when he was still *** juvenile. He was in contact via social media with an unidentified ISIS member overseas. Sturdivant received direction from the unidentified ISIS member to dress in all black, knock on people’s doors, and attack them with *** hammer. In fact, Sturdivant did dress in all black. He left his house with *** hammer, and fortunately his family stepped in. Sturdivant No charges were filed at that time. He was referred for psychological care and he underwent psychological care, of which I don’t know the details. The FBI was told he no longer had access to social media. On December 18th, *** week prior to Christmas, the Charlotte Field office learned it wasn’t true that he was now back on social media. After several FBI offices around this country and the New York Police Department alerted the Charlotte JTTF of *** TikTok account username Abu Bakr al-Amriki, who made multiple posts in support of ISIS. Sturdivant was identified as the account holder, and with federal search warrants, the FBI obtained his previous post to assess the extent of threats to the homeland. But according to the complaint, on or about December 12th, Sturdivant began communicating with an individual on multiple social media platforms. On B Noas to start event, he was talking to *** government online covert employee. With within just *** few days, Sturdivant direct messaged the online covert employee with *** picture of two hammers and *** knife. The message was significant since in recent years an ISIS propaganda magazine. Promoted the use of knives to conduct terrorist attacks in Western countries. The same ISIS magazine which suggested using vehicles to ram crowds like the terrorist attack last year on New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street. The conversations between the undercover employee. And Sturdivant escalated further. Sturdivant allegedly sent *** voice recording pledging by it *** loyalty oath to ISIS. And on December 20th, the direct messaging alleged at least showed Sturdivant asking for help getting firearms, specifically. Weapons, guns. To carry out the terrorist attack at *** food market here in Charlotte area. Thankfully, that did not occur. This investigation was conducted by several FBI field offices, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the following members the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Matthews Police Department, the Monroe Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Air Marshal Service, Homeland Security Investigations. Internal Revenue Service, uh, IRSCI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, also the NYPD, the FBI New York JTTF, the FBI Columbia Division, and the Min Mint Hill Police Department were instrumental in thwarting this attack. And of course, alongside our partners at the US Attorney’s Office in the Western District of New York, I’m sorry, North Carolina. And the Department of Justice. Um, 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. They seek to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons and with little to no warning. To further complicate this threat, we have seen that most successful attackers radicalize in *** time span of between 1 and 4 years, and they typically mobilize to act in less than 3 months. The FBI continues to work tirelessly to combat the threats of terrorism for the American people every day. That our partnerships are not limited to just law enforcement agencies. 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 *** dangerous ideology. You’ll be the first to see it. And together we can stop it. The threats we face are bigger than any one law enforcement or intelligence agency. Requiring everyone who hears this message to work together to keep people safe. I want to thank the members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force that sit over here today for their diligent effort. We spoke. I, I, I can’t tell you the number of hours, and this is not an atta boy to the FBI or or our partners. Um, they worked nonstop for about 14 days, 24/7, digging through everything we had and, and keeping surveillance on this subject so we could intervene if he were to, to potentially attack.
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FBI foils ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve terror plot in North Carolina
The FBI said Friday it had thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in North Carolina.Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old from Mint Hill, a Charlotte suburb, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson.Ferguson announced the charges at a news conference alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle Jr.Prosecutors said Sturdivant was attempting to target a grocery store and fast food restaurant on New Year’s Eve. Sturdivant allegedly made contact with a individuals he thought were affiliated with ISIS but in reality were two undercover agents. An FBI affidavit filed in the case said Sturdivant came under investigation last month following information that an account that officials say was later connected to Sturdivant had made social media posts supportive of ISIS.The affidavit says Sturdivant had been on the FBI’s radar in January 2022, when he was a minor, after officials learned that he had been in contact with an ISIS member in Europe and had received instructions to dress in all black and commit attacks with a hammer.Sturdivant was arrested on Wednesday and made an initial appearance in court on Friday.The Associated Press contributed to this report.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The FBI said Friday it had thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in North Carolina.
Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old from Mint Hill, a Charlotte suburb, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson.
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Ferguson announced the charges at a news conference alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle Jr.
Prosecutors said Sturdivant was attempting to target a grocery store and fast food restaurant on New Year’s Eve. Sturdivant allegedly made contact with a individuals he thought were affiliated with ISIS but in reality were two undercover agents.
An FBI affidavit filed in the case said Sturdivant came under investigation last month following information that an account that officials say was later connected to Sturdivant had made social media posts supportive of ISIS.
The affidavit says Sturdivant had been on the FBI’s radar in January 2022, when he was a minor, after officials learned that he had been in contact with an ISIS member in Europe and had received instructions to dress in all black and commit attacks with a hammer.
Sturdivant was arrested on Wednesday and made an initial appearance in court on Friday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
