Washington/New York, January 2, 2026: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Friday that it had thwarted a planned terror attack on a grocery store in North Carolina on New Year’s Eve, arresting an 18-year-old who was allegedly inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group and had pledged allegiance to the extremist organisation.
The accused, identified as Christian Sturdivant, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. Federal agents arrested him on Wednesday, and he was produced before US District Judge Susan Rodriguez on Friday. Sturdivant has been remanded in custody, with a further hearing scheduled for January 7.
According to an affidavit filed by the FBI, the investigation began last month after authorities received information about social media posts expressing support for IS. The account was later linked to Sturdivant, prompting federal agencies to intensify surveillance and monitoring.
The affidavit further revealed that Sturdivant had previously drawn the attention of law enforcement agencies in January 2022, when he was still a minor. At the time, officials learned that he had allegedly been in contact with an IS member based in Europe and had received instructions to carry out attacks, including advice to dress in black and use a hammer as a weapon.
Authorities said the timely intervention prevented a potentially deadly attack, underscoring the continued threat posed by online radicalisation and lone-wolf terrorism. Officials did not disclose specific details about the intended target beyond confirming it was a grocery store and that the plot was timed for New Year’s Eve.
Sturdivant’s legal counsel did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the court hearing.
The FBI said the case highlights the importance of early detection and coordinated action to prevent acts of terror, particularly those involving young individuals influenced by extremist propaganda online.
