U.S. authorities say they have disrupted a potential ISIS-inspired attack planned for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina, arresting an 18-year-old suspect following a months-long investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the suspect, Christian Sturdivant, was taken into custody on New Year’s Eve before any harm could occur. Investigators described the plot as being directly inspired by Islamic State, also known as ISIS.
In a statement released Friday, the FBI said the suspect had been under monitoring since January 2022, when he was still a minor. Authorities allege that Sturdivant was in contact with an ISIS member overseas and received guidance on how to carry out attacks, including instructions to dress in black and use everyday weapons.
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners thwarted a potential terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in North Carolina,” the agency said. “The subject was directly inspired to act by ISIS.”
FBI Director Kash Patel credited cooperation among law enforcement agencies for preventing the attack, saying their actions “undoubtedly saved lives.”
Weapons and planning details
According to federal prosecutors, the suspect planned to carry out an attack using knives and hammers. Court documents allege that Sturdivant discussed his intentions with individuals he believed were fellow extremists but who were in fact undercover law enforcement officers.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said Sturdivant had been planning the attack for nearly a year.
“He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die,” Ferguson said during a press briefing.
Investigators allege that Sturdivant referred to himself as a “soldier of the state” and told an undercover officer he intended to carry out the attack on New Year’s Eve.
On Dec. 29, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home. Authorities say they recovered handwritten notes, including one titled “New Year’s Attack 2026,” listing items such as a vest, mask and knives. The notes allegedly outlined plans to stab multiple people before being killed by police.
Officials said Sturdivant believed he was communicating with ISIS operatives, but was instead interacting with undercover officers.
Charges laid
Sturdivant has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He has made his first court appearance in Charlotte and remains in federal custody as the case proceeds.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and reiterated their call for vigilance against online radicalization and extremist recruitment efforts.