Federal authorities in the United States have announced the arrest of an 18-year-old man from Mint Hill, North Carolina, who was allegedly in the final stages of planning a deadly terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). The plot, targeting a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant, was aimed at causing mass civilian casualties around New Year's Eve.
Digital Footprint Reveals Extremist Ideology
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) first took note of Christian Sturdivant on December 18, 2025, after receiving tips about his pro-ISIS posts on social media. His online activity revealed a deep adherence to the terrorist group's violent ideology. In early December, he allegedly posted an image of figurines of Jesus with a caption cursing cross worshippers, a rhetoric consistent with ISIS calls for violence against non-believers.
Investigators stated that his digital footprint was filled with extremist content supporting the terrorist organisation. This online behaviour prompted the FBI to launch a covert operation to monitor his intentions and prevent any potential attack.
Undercover FBI Operation Tracks Attack Plans
Following the initial alert, the FBI initiated an undercover operation where an employee posed as an ISIS supporter online. Sturdivant began communicating with this undercover agent, openly discussing his plans for jihad. He referred to himself as "a soldier of the state," meaning ISIS, and declared his intention to carry out an attack soon.
During these conversations, he detailed his preparations. On December 14, 2025, he sent an image showing two hammers and a knife to the undercover agent. ISIS propaganda has historically encouraged such low-tech weapon attacks in Western nations. Sturdivant specifically named a grocery store in North Carolina as his intended target and discussed plans to acquire a firearm to use alongside knives.
Weapons, Oath, and a "Martyrdom Operation"
The investigation culminated in a search of his home on December 29, 2025, which yielded chilling evidence. Authorities found two butcher knives and two hammers hidden under his bed, matching the image he had sent. They also seized tactical gloves, a vest, and a list of potential targets.
Most damning was a handwritten note titled "New Years Attack 2026." The document outlined a plan to stab as many people as possible, with a explicit goal of killing 20 or 21 civilians. It also contained a section labelled "martyrdom op," describing an intention to attack responding police officers so he would be killed in the confrontation. This aligned with a voice recording sent on December 19 where he pledged a loyalty oath (Bayat) to ISIS.
Christian Sturdivant was arrested on December 31, 2025, just before the planned attack. He has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg stated that Sturdivant aspired to be an ISIS martyr and was in the final planning stages of a mass-casualty event intended for New Year's Eve, which was successfully thwarted by law enforcement.
