FBI Thwarts ISIS-Inspired Grocery Store Attack Plot in NC

Federal authorities announced Friday that they had thwarted a plot to attack a grocery store in North Carolina on New Year's Eve, arresting an 18-year-old man inspired by the Islamic State militant group.

Christian Sturdivant, from Mint Hill near Charlotte, was taken into custody by FBI agents on Wednesday and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He made his initial court appearance before U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez that morning and remains detained ahead of a hearing scheduled for January 7. Sturdivant's attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to an FBI affidavit, Sturdivant came under renewed scrutiny last month after an online account linked to him posted messages supporting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. Officials said he had pledged loyalty to the group and planned to carry out the attack as an act of allegiance. The affidavit detailed that Sturdivant intended to target civilians inside the store using knives and a hammer.

This was not the first time Sturdivant had drawn the attention of investigators. In January 2022, when he was a minor, authorities learned he had...