Credit...Logan R. Cyrus for The New York Times
North Carolina Man Accused of Planning Potential Terrorist Attack
The 18-year-old, radicalized online, was planning a New Year’s Eve attack in a Charlotte suburb, officials said.
by https://www.nytimes.com/by/rick-rojas · NY TimesFederal investigators arrested an 18-year-old man from North Carolina, accusing him of plotting a terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve, using a knife and hammers, the F.B.I. said on Friday.
Officials said the man, Christian Sturdivant, had been radicalized online and pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State. He had been on federal investigators’ radar since 2022.
In recent weeks, he had been planning an attack on a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte, according to federal prosecutors. But the plan was intercepted by an undercover federal agent who had connected with him online in December.
Mr. Sturdivant has been charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Seamus Hughes contributed research.