By Dalena Reporters Staff
WASHINGTON / CHARLOTTE — U.S. federal authorities on Friday, January 2, 2026, disclosed that they had successfully thwarted a potential New Year’s Eve terrorist attack in North Carolina allegedly inspired by the extremist group Islamic State (ISIS), underscoring ongoing domestic counter-terrorism vigilance during the holiday period.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill, North Carolina, was arrested in connection with a plot aimed at carrying out violent attacks in public spaces on December 31, 2025. Prosecutors charged Sturdivant with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a federal offence.
According to a Justice Department criminal complaint, agents discovered a handwritten plan titled “New Years Attack 2026” at Sturdivant’s residence, outlining an intention to stab up to 20 people and assault responding police officers involved in any intervention. Investigators also seized knives and hammers allegedly intended for use in the attack.
Officials said the plot was disrupted after undercover law enforcement engaged Sturdivant online, where he had expressed allegiance to ISIS and discussed plans to target a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte. The FBI noted that the suspect’s social-media posts included praise for the extremist group and that he had been monitored by federal agents since posting pro-ISIS content earlier.
FBI Director Kash Patel took to social media, thanking federal and local partners for their work in preventing what could have been a deadly assault on civilians during peak New Year's Eve activity. Patel highlighted that the investigation involved sustained surveillance and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to identify and intercept the threat before it could be executed.
Sturdivant’s arrest followed a coordinated operation involving the FBI’s Charlotte field office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, and undercover personnel — including agents whom the suspect believed were ISIS affiliates. He appeared before a federal magistrate court following his arrest and remains in custody pending further proceedings.
The thwarted plot comes against a backdrop of heightened concern about domestic radicalisation and lone-actor attacks inspired by international extremist movements. U.S. authorities have stressed that ongoing intelligence and community reporting were vital in identifying the threat and averting potential loss of life.
While this case marks a successful prevention, law enforcement officials reiterated that vigilance and public cooperation remain essential, particularly during large gatherings and public holidays when crowds are vulnerable to opportunistic attacks.
This article is based on verified reporting and official law-enforcement statements as of January 2, 2026.