Additional Coverage:
- Who is Christian Sturdivant, the teen accused of plotting terror attack on New Year’s Eve? (usatoday.com)
Local Teen Arrested in Alleged New Year’s Eve Terror Plot
Mint Hill, NC – An 18-year-old North Carolina resident, Christian Sturdivant, was arrested on New Year’s Eve after federal authorities allege he planned a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). Sturdivant, who worked at a local Burger King, faces charges of attempting to provide material support for a foreign terrorist organization, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Authorities announced on January 2nd that Sturdivant was targeting a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in his suburban Charlotte hometown of Mint Hill. FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle stated that Sturdivant had “pledged his loyalty to ISIS” and intended to become a martyr to support the extremist group’s violence. Barnacle emphasized that this case highlights “the very real threat posed by people who self-radicalize online.”
Long-Term Surveillance and Previous Incident
This arrest comes after Sturdivant had been on an FBI watchlist for approximately three years. Federal court filings reveal that in January 2022, Sturdivant made online contact with an ISIS member in Europe.
This individual allegedly instructed Sturdivant to “dress all in black, knock on people’s doors, and attack them with a hammer.” Court documents detail an incident where the teen, dressed in black, left his home to attack a neighbor but was restrained by his grandfather.
Following this event, Sturdivant received psychiatric care, had his social media access restricted, and his grandfather secured knives in the home. Before this attempted attack, Sturdivant had already pledged “Bayat,” an oath of allegiance, to ISIS.
Details of the Alleged New Year’s Eve Plot
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson, indicated that Sturdivant had been planning the alleged New Year’s Eve attack for about a year, intending to use knives and hammers.
Authorities became aware of the threat after Sturdivant, described as a “prolific poster” on social media, shared his plans online with FBI agents who were posing as ISIS supporters. Evidence found under Sturdivant’s bed reportedly included knives, hammers, and notes outlining his plans.
Ferguson stated, “He was preparing for jihad and innocent people were going to die, and we are very, very fortunate they did not.”
Online Presence and ISIS Affiliation
FBI investigators linked Sturdivant to a social media account operating under the display name “Abu-Bakr-Al-Amriki,” which featured numerous posts supporting ISIS. This display name is believed to be a homage to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of ISIS, with “Al-Amriki” meaning “the American,” suggesting Sturdivant’s aspiration to be an American al-Baghdadi. Al-Baghdadi died by suicide during a U.S. military operation in October 2019.
Sturdivant’s online activity repeatedly expressed support for ISIS and jihad. Posts included a photo of military-style gloves with a Quranic reference to war, a ballistic vest with the caption “Islam is on the rise. May Allah curse the crusade coalition,” and a December post showing Jesus figurines with the caption, “May Allah curse the cross worshipers.”
FBI agents became directly involved after a Dec. 11 post was interpreted as a signal for a Christmas-time attack. On Dec. 13, Sturdivant allegedly told undercover agents, “I will do jihad soon,” and revealed that he had been planning an attack in a public place for a year, targeting “Christian pagans and lgbtq.”
It was not immediately clear if Sturdivant has legal representation who could comment on his behalf.