Federal authorities say a teenage ISIS sympathizer was stopped just days before allegedly carrying out a violent New Year’s Eve attack targeting everyday shoppers in North Carolina.
Investigators allege the 18-year-old planned to use knives, hammers, and possibly a firearm to carry out the assault at a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in support of ISIS.
He is now in federal custody and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Alarming Threats and Extremist Messages
The case surfaced in mid-December after federal agents began monitoring a series of extremist social media posts that raised immediate concern.
On December 18, the FBI’s Charlotte office received information that an individual, later identified as Christian Sturdivant, had been posting messages praising ISIS.
One of those posts, shared in early December, displayed two miniature Jesus figurines along with the text, “May Allah curse the cross worshipers.” According to federal officials, the message reflects ISIS propaganda encouraging violence against people who reject the group’s extremist ideology.
Undercover Contact Exposes Alleged Plot
Authorities say that on or around December 12, Sturdivant began communicating with an undercover online covert employee he believed was an ISIS member.
During the conversation, he reportedly declared, “I will do jihad soon,” and described himself as “a soldier of the state,” referring to ISIS.
Two days later, Sturdivant allegedly sent the undercover contact a photograph showing two hammers and a knife, weapons the FBI says align with ISIS magazines that encourage lone-wolf knife attacks in Western countries.
According to the complaint, he later revealed he planned to target a specific grocery store in North Carolina and discussed purchasing a firearm to use along with knives during the attack.
Oath of Loyalty and Handwritten Plans
The allegations intensified in the days that followed.
On December 19, Sturdivant allegedly sent the undercover contact a voice recording in which he pledged “Bayat,” an oath of allegiance to ISIS.
On December 29, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home. There, investigators found handwritten papers, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026.”
The document allegedly listed items needed for the assault, including a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and two knives. It also described a plan to stab as many civilians as possible, with a target of 20 to 21 victims.
Officials say the note included a chilling section labeled “martyrdom op,” outlining Sturdivant’s intention to attack police officers responding to the scene so he would die as a martyr.
Weapons Allegedly Hidden in Bedroom
The complaint states Sturdivant lived with a relative who had tried to keep him away from sharp tools by securing knives and hammers.
However, during the search, agents found a blue hammer, a wooden-handled hammer, and two butcher knives hidden beneath his bed. According to investigators, these matched the image Sturdivant previously sent to the undercover contact.
Authorities also seized a list of potential targets as well as tactical gloves and a vest that were allegedly obtained for the attack.
Officials Praise Quick Action for Preventing Bloodshed
Attorney General Pamela Bondi credited law enforcement for stopping the alleged plot, stating, “This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve.” She added, “The Department of Justice remains vigilant in our pursuit of evil ISIS sympathizers — anyone plotting to commit such depraved attacks will face the full force of the law.”
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed her comments, saying “the accused allegedly wanted to be a soldier for ISIS and made plans to commit a violent attack on New Year’s Eve in support of that terrorist group, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that.”
Suspect Held in Federal Custody
Sturdivant, who turned 18 just two weeks before his arrest, appeared in federal court in Charlotte after the complaint was unsealed Friday.
He is being held without bond at the Gaston County Jail. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Officials say the case highlights the persistent threat of online radicalization and the speed at which extremist ideology can escalate toward real-world violence.
