FBI Foils 'Potential Terrorist Attack' in NC, Saving Innocent Lives

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FBI Disrupts Alleged Terrorist Plot in North Carolina

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced that authorities have successfully disrupted a "potential terrorist attack" planned for New Year's Eve in North Carolina. According to the FBI, the individual behind the alleged plot was inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The suspect, Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson stated that Sturdivant, who is 18 years old, had been planning an attack in support of ISIS for approximately a year. The planned attack was set to take place at a grocery store in Mint Hill. Sturdivant communicated with an undercover FBI agent, which ultimately led to his arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI have been working on this case, though details remain limited as the investigation is ongoing.

Background of the Investigation

The investigation into Sturdivant dates back to 2022. Court documents unsealed on Friday revealed that the FBI began investigating Sturdivant in January 2022 when he was still a minor. According to these documents, Sturdivant was communicating via social media with an unidentified ISIS member from Europe. He received instructions to dress in all black, knock on people's doors, and attack them with a hammer.

In January 2022, Sturdivant left his house wearing all black with the intention of killing his neighbor using a hammer and a knife. However, his grandfather managed to restrain him and bring him back home. The court records also indicate that Sturdivant was accused of showing loyalty to ISIS prior to the incident.

The New Year's Attack 2026

Court documents show that the Charlotte FBI office received information in December 2025 about a social media account connected to Sturdivant that had posted several messages supporting ISIS. In early December 2025, the FBI said Sturdivant began speaking with an undercover agent online about his plans to "do jihad soon."

On December 14, 2025, Sturdivant allegedly sent the undercover agent a photo of two hammers and a knife while making the hand sign of the "Shahada," which is an Islamic declaration of faith. In further text exchanges, Sturdivant indicated he had been planning for a year and it would be in a public place. He also mentioned that he was prepared for death.

In text exchanges around December 18, 2025, Sturdivant reportedly told the undercover agent that the target would be "Christian pagans and LGBTQ." The next day, Sturdivant provided the location—a national grocery store chain. The name of the store was not included in the court documents.

On December 20, 2025, Sturdivant informed the undercover agent that he planned to attack a food mart in Charlotte and asked if the agent's contact in Atlanta had firearms. Unbeknownst to Sturdivant, the contact in Atlanta was also an undercover agent.

Sturdivant later said he wanted to carry out the attack in January because he was tired of the Americans killing his brother in Iraq and Syria.

Detailed Plans and Arrest

Around December 27, 2025, Sturdivant told the undercover agent that he was preparing for "martyrdom." Two days later, a federal search warrant was issued for Sturdivant's home in Mint Hill. Agents found a handwritten document in the trashcan titled "The New Year's Attack 2026." It listed items including a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and two knives. It identified vital spots, such as the stomach and neck, and listed the goal of "stabbing as many taghut (a term identifying anything worshipped besides Allah) and civilians as possible," with a total targeted number of victims being 20 or 21.

The letter also noted plans to attack police once they arrived to die a martyr. It included a training plan and stated that the attack was in response to airstrikes in Syria.

Another handwritten note found in the trashcan detailed Sturdivant's specific plans and strategy for killing and martyrdom. It included a planned attack at Burger King, where Sturdivant was employed. The plan was to injure at least eight people with a knife. Sturdivant had planned to carry the knife in his pants and walk to the bathroom.

The second planned attack noted in the note was at a grocery store, with a goal of injuring at least 11 people. Sturdivant planned to separate from his mother in the grocery store and perform an Islamic prayer before the attack.

"Hope to die by the hands of police. I hope to stab at least 11 or more with precision and speed. We will attack the police once they arrive," the note read.

During a press conference on Friday, Ferguson described the attack as “very well-planned.” He added, “He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die. We are very fortunate that they did not.”

Agents seized two hammers and two butcher knives found under Sturdivant's bed. Court documents show that Sturdivant's grandfather told the FBI he had hidden or locked away knives and tools from his grandson so they could not be used as weapons against others.

Sturdivant faces up to 20 years in prison.