An 18-year-old from North Carolina, Christian Sturdivant, was arrested by the FBI on December 29, 2025, for allegedly plotting a mass-casualty stabbing attack on New Year's Eve in support of the Islamic State (ISIS). Authorities uncovered a handwritten document titled "The New Year's Attack 2026" at his home, detailing plans to target civilians at a grocery store and Burger King restaurant. The plot specifically listed non-Muslims, LGBTQ individuals, Jews, and Christians as intended victims, highlighting the extremist motivations behind the scheme.

Sturdivant had been on the FBI's radar since 2022 due to online activity. In mid-December, he contacted an undercover New York Police Department agent he believed was an ISIS member, pledging allegiance and expressing intent to "do jihad soon." He later met another FBI undercover agent, providing specific attack details. On December 14, Sturdivant sent a video showcasing two hammers and two butcher knives hidden under his bed, which were seized along with tactical gloves and a vest during the home search.

The FBI's intervention prevented what could have been a deadly assault during New Year's celebrations. Sturdivant made his first court appearance in Charlotte and remains in federal custody, charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization—a charge carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. The case underscores the persistent threat of lone-actor terrorism inspired by ISIS propaganda, even years after the group's territorial defeat.

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Investigators continue to probe Sturdivant's online communications and potential accomplices. The incident has renewed calls for vigilance against domestic radicalization, particularly among youth exposed to extremist content. Community leaders and authorities emphasize reporting suspicious activity to counter such threats effectively.

This foiled plot highlights the evolving nature of terrorism, where individuals self-radicalize through digital means without direct group affiliation. The swift action by undercover agents demonstrates the effectiveness of proactive law enforcement in disrupting planned attacks before they materialize.

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