An 18-year-old Burger King worker from North Carolina was “prepared for death” as he plotted a New Year’s Eve terrorist attack on a local grocery store and fast food joint in which he planned to maim at least 19 people, officials alleged Friday.
Christian Sturdivant, of Mint Hill outside Charlotte, was arrested Wednesday before he was able to carry out his murderous, ISIS-inspired scheme, US Attorney Russ Ferguson told reporters during a news conference.
“He was preparing for jihad and innocent people were going to die,” said Ferguson of the suspect, describing the would-be attack as “very well-planned.”
Sturdivant was foiled after speaking online with two separate undercover law enforcement officials — one NYPD cop and one FBI agent — who he believed were ISIS collaborators, the prosecutor said.
The suspect — who first allegedly attempted a terror attack at age 14 — had been barred from being online since 2022, but began posting multiple TikTok videos in support of the terror group starting Dec. 18, according to FBI Charlotte special agent in charge James Barnacle.
The feds then opened an investigation and began round-the-clock surveillance of Sturdivant in the two weeks leading up to his arrest.
In online messages, Sturdivant told one of the undercover sources: “I am a follower and soldier of the state … I’m prepared for death,” according to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent John Ryan Anthony.
“I want guns,” the suspect also said, ultimately agreeing to send $500 to $600 to the agent in exchange for a firearm he would collect a couple of days before his planned ambush, according to the affidavit.
Equipped with a Kevlar vest, knives, and hammers, Sturdivant planned to attack his targets when they were crowded with patrons preparing to celebrate the arrival of 2026, Ferguson went on.
Two butcher knives and two hammers were found under the suspect’s bed, along with a written manifesto “where he detailed this attack,” according to the US attorney. --->READ MORE HERE
FBI foils alleged plot involving Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill, North Carolina
The suspect accused of plotting a New Year’s Eve attack on a grocery store and fast-food restaurant in North Carolina worked at a Burger King and hid knives and hammers under his bed despite his grandparents trying to secure the potential weapons, prosecutors revealed Friday.
Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill, a town outside Charlotte, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson said.
"What we do know is that the grandfather secured the knives in the home, secured the hammers, tried to make sure that Mr. Sturdivant did not have them. And, yet, when we executed the search warrant, they were found under his bed," Ferguson told reporters at a news conference Friday.
Ferguson added the attack was planned to take place in Mint Hill, and the suspect worked at a Burger King.
"He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die. And we were very, very fortunate they did not," Ferguson said. "I can tell you from his notes he was targeting Jews, Christians and LGBTQ individuals." --->READ MORE HERE
If you like what you see, please "Like" and/or Follow us on FACEBOOK here, GETTR here, and TWITTER here.
No comments:
Post a Comment