FBI thwarts ‘potential terrorist attack’, suspect ‘inspired by ISIS

As per local media outlets in the US, the Bureau has arrested an 18-year-old man named Christian Sturdivan who has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.  As per the latest announcement made on the X handle titled @FBIcharlotte, the FBI Special Agent in charge of the case will announce details at an 11:30 am news conference in Charlotte. 

Based on reports published by the local media outlets based in the United States of America, the accused planned on using knives and hammers to attack people at a grocery store and fast food restaurants during New Year celebrations inspired by ISIS.

According to reports published by the Associated Press, Sturdivant was arrested by federal agents on Wednesday. He remained held following an appearance before U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez on Friday morning, pending a hearing on Jan. 7.

Sturdivant is accused of expressing allegiance to ISIS and has been under federal monitoring for his online activity since 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.

Prosecutors say law enforcement uncovered handwritten plans outlining intentions to carry out violent attacks and assault law enforcement officers who tried to intervene, although detailed public evidence of specific targets has not been released. Sturdivant remains in federal custody, and a follow-up hearing has been scheduled for early January.

As per a Reuters report, FBI agents searching Sturdivant’s home found a handwritten document titled “New Years Attack 2026,” which allegedly discussed plans to stab up to 20 victims and ‌attack responding police officers.

Agents seized hammers and knives from his bedroom, according to a Justice Department statement, which cited ‌information in a criminal complaint.

Sturdivant had planned the attack for about a year and communicated online ‌in December with two undercover agents with the FBI and New York Police Department, whom he thought ‌were affiliated with ISIS. ‍He ⁠shared photos ​of two hammers and a knife and discussed plans for a coming attack, according to ⁠the complaint.