CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal authorities announced on Friday that they have foiled a potential terrorist attack planned for New Year’s Eve in the Charlotte area. The FBI arrested 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant, who is accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired assault on a grocery store and restaurant in Mint Hill, North Carolina.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, the plot was disrupted before any violence occurred, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Alleged Plot
Officials stated that Sturdivant intended to carry out a “lone wolf” style attack on December 31, 2025, targeting shoppers preparing for New Year’s celebrations. Prosecutors allege that Sturdivant planned to use knives and hammers to inflict mass casualties at a busy commercial center in Mint Hill, a suburban town southeast of Charlotte.
“Innocent people were going to die, and we are very fortunate they did not,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson during a press conference on Friday morning. “Countless lives were saved here. New Year’s Eve, everybody’s at the grocery store, buying what they need.”
According to court documents, Sturdivant allegedly communicated his plans to individuals he believed were members of ISIS. In reality, he was communicating with undercover FBI agents. He reportedly sent photos of his weapons—including two hammers and a knife—to the agents and expressed a desire to acquire a firearm to increase the lethality of the attack.
Investigators say Sturdivant planned to die during the assault, hoping to become a “martyr” for the Islamic State.
The Investigation
The arrest was the culmination of a weeks-long operation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle said agents tracked Sturdivant closely to ensure he never had the opportunity to execute the plan.
“We went all hands on deck,” Barnacle said. “Our priority was to disrupt this plot before he could move from aspiration to action.”
The investigation revealed that Sturdivant had been radicalized online. He allegedly reached out to ISIS contacts via the internet, eventually meeting in person with a second undercover agent where he detailed his specific plans for the Mint Hill location.
Charges Filed
Christian Sturdivant has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces significant prison time.
This incident marks the latest in a series of domestic terror threats thwarted by federal law enforcement. FBI officials used the announcement to remind the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, noting that online radicalization remains a persistent threat to local communities.
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