Federal authorities say they stopped an 18-year-old Burger King fast-food worker from carrying out a knife-and-hammer attack at a grocery store in a Charlotte-area suburb on New Year’s Eve.
Charges Filed
Prosecutors have charged Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill, North Carolina, with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, according to court documents. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Alleged Terror Plot
The FBI said Sturdivant planned the attack for about a year and intended to target a supermarket. Authorities allege he discussed plans to “do jihad” with someone he believed was an ISIS supporter but who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.
Officials said notes recovered from Sturdivant indicated he planned to target Jewish, Christian and LGBTQ individuals.
Prior Warning Signs
The FBI first investigated Sturdivant in January 2022, when he was a minor, after he communicated online with an alleged ISIS member. At the time, authorities say he left his home with weapons intending to kill a neighbor but was stopped by his grandfather, a Christian minister, who restrained him and sought help.
Sturdivant was referred for psychological care, and investigators were told he was no longer active on social media.
Renewed Online Contact
Last month, authorities say Sturdivant resumed extremist communications online and sent an undercover officer an image of hammers and a knife, which investigators linked to ISIS propaganda promoting weapon attacks in Western countries.
A week before Christmas, the FBI also connected him to a TikTok account that had posted content supporting ISIS.
Evidence and Detention
Agents later found hammers, knives and written plans for the attack under Sturdivant’s bed, according to court filings. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. His attorney has not commented.
For the latest on this case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.