Teen Planned ISIS-Inspired Attack at NC Restaurants, FBI Reveals

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An 18-year-old from Mint Hill, North Carolina, is facing charges for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired attack on a fast food restaurant and grocery store. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina have confirmed the allegations.

Christian Sturdivant has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. According to prosecutors, Sturdivant was targeting a grocery store and a fast food restaurant on New Year’s Eve. However, his alleged plans were uncovered when he communicated with individuals who were actually undercover agents posing as members of ISIS.

The FBI in Charlotte received information on December 18, 2025, about an individual later identified as Sturdivant. He had been making multiple social media posts supporting ISIS, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization. In early December 2025, Sturdivant posted an image showing two miniature figurines of Jesus with the text “May Allah curse the cross worshipers.” This post is said to align with ISIS rhetoric that calls for the extermination of non-believers, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims who do not share their extremist views.

According to the criminal complaint, Sturdivant began communicating with an online covert employee (OC), whom he believed was affiliated with ISIS. During these interactions, he stated, “I will do jihad soon,” and referred to himself as “a soldier of the state,” meaning ISIS. On December 14, 2025, he sent the OC an image of two hammers and a knife. This is significant because an article in the 2016 issue of ISIS’s propaganda magazine promoted the use of knives for terror attacks in Western countries. Sturdivant also shared his intention to attack a specific grocery store in North Carolina and mentioned purchasing a firearm to use alongside the knives during the attack.

On December 19, 2025, Sturdivant allegedly sent the OC a voice recording where he pledged “Bayat,” a loyalty oath to ISIS. A search warrant executed on December 29, 2025, at Sturdivant’s residence revealed handwritten documents, one of which was titled “New Years Attack 2026.” The document listed items such as a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and two knives, all allegedly intended for the attack. It also outlined a goal of stabbing as many civilians as possible, with a target of 20 to 21 victims. The note included a section labeled “martyrdom op,” which described a plan to attack police responding to the site so Sturdivant would die a martyr.

Despite living with a relative who secured knives and hammers to prevent harm, law enforcement found a blue hammer, a wooden handled hammer, and two butcher knives hidden under Sturdivant’s bed. These items matched those depicted in the online message he had previously sent to the OC.

Sturdivant was arrested on Wednesday and made an initial appearance in court on Friday. He remains in federal custody. If convicted, he could face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.