FBI Thwarts ISIS-Inspired Terror Plot by North Carolina Teen Targeting Christians on New Year's Eve

Charlotte, NC — January 2, 2026

Federal authorities announced Friday that the FBI successfully disrupted an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist attack planned for New Year's Eve in North Carolina, arresting an 18-year-old man who prosecutors say expressed deep hatred toward Christians and plotted a brutal assault using knives and hammers.

Christian Sturdivant, of Mint Hill—a suburb outside Charlotte—was charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina described the plot as a chilling scheme that could have resulted in mass casualties had it not been foiled. "He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die," Ferguson said during a press conference. "We were very, very fortunate they did not."

According to the criminal complaint, Sturdivant had been on the FBI's radar since 2022, when he allegedly communicated online with an unidentified overseas ISIS member. That contact reportedly advised him on attack methods, including dressing in black and using a hammer to assault victims at their doors.

The plot escalated in recent weeks. On December 18, 2025, the Charlotte FBI office received tips about Sturdivant's social media posts supporting ISIS. One particularly disturbing post from early December featured images of miniature Jesus figurines accompanied by text cursing "cross worshippers"—language echoing ISIS's extremist ideology calling for violence against non-believers, including Christians.

Prosecutors say Sturdivant then began communicating with an individual he believed was affiliated with ISIS. In reality, this was an undercover FBI online covert employee (referred to as "OC" in court documents). During these exchanges, Sturdivant allegedly declared, "I will do jihad soon," and proclaimed himself "a soldier of the state," meaning ISIS.

He sent the undercover agent photos of hammers and a knife, outlining plans for a New Year's Eve "massacre" at a grocery store and possibly a fast-food restaurant. Handwritten notes seized from his home, titled "New Years Attack 2026," detailed his intentions to target up to 20 people. Authorities say his manifesto also expressed intent to harm Jews and members of the LGBTQ community, alongside Christians.

A search of Sturdivant's residence uncovered butcher knives, hammers hidden under his bed, and tactical gear—evidence that prosecutors say corroborated his deadly plans.

Sturdivant's fatal mistake, according to investigators, was trusting the online contact and revealing his intentions in detail, allowing the FBI to intervene before he could act. He was arrested on New Year's Eve, with no injuries reported.FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation in a statement, crediting the Joint Terrorism Task Force for acting "decisively—no doubt saving American lives." The Charlotte FBI field office echoed this on social media, stating the subject was "directly inspired to act by ISIS."

Authorities believe Sturdivant acted alone and note a reported history of mental illness, though the investigation remains ongoing.

The thwarted plot comes amid heightened alerts for holiday terror threats, underscoring the persistent danger of online radicalization. As celebrations rang in the new year across the nation, law enforcement's vigilance ensured one community in North Carolina remained safe from what could have been a tragic act of violence. 17GEN4.com