Federal officials announced on Friday that they have averted a potential terrorist attack in North Carolina, which was planned to take place on New Year’s Eve. The individual charged, Christian Sturdivant, recently turned 18, and is accused of attempting to support the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and preparing to carry out a violent assault designed to inflict maximum harm on civilians.
Detailed in a press briefing by the FBI and the Department of Justice, Sturdivant reportedly intended to execute a stabbing attack using a knife and a hammer at a Restaurant Brands International subsidiary, Burger King, where he was employed, or at a local grocery store. The goal was to cause the highest possible number of casualties.
FBI Director Kash Patel publicly expressed gratitude to the agency personnel and the New York Police Department officers involved in the rapid intervention, emphasizing that their swift actions were instrumental in preventing loss of life.
Investigation and Radicalization
The case originated in 2022 when Sturdivant was still a minor. Authorities say he engaged extensively with ISIS propaganda materials online, visiting extremist websites and sharing content across social media platforms. During this period, he attempted to establish contact with ISIS supporters but instead encountered two undercover law enforcement officers — one affiliated with the FBI and the other with the NYPD — whom he mistakenly believed were members of ISIS.
According to prosecutors, Sturdivant pledged allegiance to ISIS during communications and repeatedly expressed his intention to participate in "jihad" activities. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson remarked that the encounters with two undercover operatives during the planning phase of the attack should reassure the public about security efforts and law enforcement effectiveness.
Details of the Planned Attack
Court documents reveal that Sturdivant created handwritten notes entitled "The New Year’s Attack" and "Burger King Jihad," which outlined a strategy involving donning all black clothing and wearing a mask in a bathroom as part of the preparation to stab civilians. One note enumerated a planned number of 20 or 21 victims, indicating an intent to cause significant casualties.
Statements made to undercover agents demonstrated a clear enmity toward non-believers, specifically targeting Christians and members of the LGBTQ community. In conversations, he indicated he was "prepared for death," signaling a willingness to sacrifice himself during the attack.
Authorities state that on New Year’s Eve, as Sturdivant was on the verge of commencing the assault, intervention by his grandfather physically prevented him from leaving, thereby halting the attack.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Sturdivant was apprehended on New Year’s Eve and subsequently appeared in federal court the following Friday. He faces charges that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Reports indicate that efforts to have him involuntarily committed were unsuccessful, leading prosecutors to pursue federal criminal charges.
Summary
The interception of this planned terrorist act underscores the prolonged nature of the investigation, which began when the suspect was a minor engrossed in extremist propaganda. Through the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies and undercover operatives, authorities succeeded in disrupting an imminent knife and hammer assault on civilians in North Carolina. The case highlights ongoing vigilance and intervention to protect public safety from ISIS-inspired domestic threats.