At a Glance
- FBI arrests 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant for a New Year’s Eve terror plot in North Carolina.
- Sturdivant, inspired by ISIS, planned attacks on a grocery store and a Burger King.
- Earlier similar plots were foiled in Michigan and Los Angeles.
- Why it matters: The plot was stopped before it could harm civilians, showing federal agencies’ vigilance.
In a dramatic turn, federal agents seized an 18-year-old North Carolinian who had plotted a New Year’s Eve attack inspired by ISIS. The FBI’s arrest follows a series of thwarted plots across the country.
The Plot and Arrest
Christian Sturdivant was charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization after investigators found notes and weapons in his home. He had planned to strike a grocery store and a Burger King in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte.
James Barnacle, FBI special agent in charge, said:
> “We could be announcing a national tragedy. Instead, a terrorist attack was thwarted.”
Key details of the plan include:
- Notes outlining the attack timeline
- Hammers and knives hidden under his bed
- Tactical gloves, a Kevlar vest, and a note that he hoped to die at the hands of police
Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, described the plot as:
> “It was a very well-planned, thoughtful attack that he had planned, and that was fortunately foiled. Here he was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die, and we were very, very fortunate they did not.”
Investigation and Background
Sturdivant first appeared on the FBI’s radar in 2022 when he attempted to kill his neighbor with a hammer and knife while dressed in all black. James Barnacle noted:
> “No charges were filed at that time. Instead, he was referred to and underwent psychological care.”
He had communicated online with undercover New York Police Department officers and FBI agents, believing they were ISIS members. Investigators say he worked alone, and his latest plot remains an active investigation.
Related Foiled Plots
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday (2023) | Sturdivant arrested in North Carolina |
| 2023 October | FBI foiled a potential terrorist attack over Halloween weekend in Michigan |
| 2023 December | Federal agents arrested 5 people over a bomb plot in Los Angeles, unrelated to ISIS |
Earlier this year, the FBI also arrested 4 people in connection with a plot linked to ISIS extremism in Michigan.
Key Takeaways
- Christian Sturdivant, 18, was arrested for a New Year’s Eve terror plot in North Carolina.
- The plan involved weapons and a note to die, but it was foiled before execution.
- Similar plots were recently stopped in Michigan and Los Angeles.
The arrest underscores the ongoing vigilance of federal law-enforcement agencies in preventing domestic terrorism.
