Federal authorities in the United States have successfully thwarted a planned New Year's Eve terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS), arresting an 18-year-old suspect from Mint Hill, North Carolina. The FBI moved in to stop the alleged plot, which aimed to inflict mass casualties on civilians using knives, firearms, and hammers.
The Alleged Plot and Arrest
The suspect has been identified as Christian Sturdivant. According to the criminal complaint unsealed in federal court in Charlotte, Sturdivant intended to target a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant on December 31, 2025. His goal was to kill as many people as possible. He was arrested on that same day and has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
Officials stated the plot was in its final stages. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the operation, saying, “This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve.”
Online Radicalisation and Undercover Operation
The FBI's investigation began on December 18, 2025, after agents received information about social media posts where Sturdivant praised ISIS. Earlier in December, he had allegedly shared an image mocking Christianity alongside violent language echoing ISIS propaganda.
Subsequently, Sturdivant began communicating online with an individual he believed was an ISIS supporter, who was actually an undercover federal agent. In these conversations, he reportedly declared, “I will do jihad soon,” and called himself “a soldier of the state,” a phrase associated with ISIS. He sent the agent an image of two hammers and a knife, similar to ISIS propaganda promoting knife attacks in the West, and later a voice recording pledging loyalty to the terrorist group.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented, “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.”
Chilling Evidence Uncovered
A search of Sturdivant’s home on December 29 yielded damning evidence. Investigators found handwritten notes, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026”. This document listed equipment like a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and knives, and outlined a plan to stab up to 20 or 21 civilians. The note also described a so-called “martyrdom op,” where Sturdivant intended to attack responding police officers to die as a martyr.
Agents also discovered two butcher knives and two hammers hidden under his bed, along with a list of targets and tactical gear, which matched items discussed in his messages. John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said, “As alleged, Sturdivant aspired to become a ‘martyr’ for ISIS and was in the final stages of planning a mass-casualty attack.”
If convicted, Christian Sturdivant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors have emphasised that the charges are currently allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
