The FBI has successfully thwarted what it described as a potential terrorist attack planned by ISIS for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina. The operation led to the arrest of 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant, who now faces charges for allegedly attempting to support a foreign terrorist organization, as announced by U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson from the Western District of North Carolina.

Sturdivant, a resident of Mint Hill near Charlotte, reportedly intended to target civilians in a grocery store as an act of allegiance to the Islamic State. The chilling plan involved using hammers and knives to harm up to 20 people during the festive season, according to federal authorities.

The FBI’s Charlotte field office revealed the details of the foiled plot through their social media channels. Sturdivant had allegedly expressed animosity towards Christians in his online posts, which raised red flags among investigators.

The plot came to light when Sturdivant started communicating online with an undercover government agent, whom he believed to be connected to ISIS. This undercover agent, referred to in the criminal complaint as “OC,” played a crucial role in uncovering Sturdivant’s intentions, leading to his arrest and the prevention of a potential tragedy.

Sturdivant had planned to kill up 20 people with hammers and knives in a grocery store on New Year’s Eve after previously expressing hatred for Christians on social media. 

His heinous terrorist plot was foiled after the 18-year-old began communicating online with an undercover government employee he ‘believed to be affiliated with ISIS.’ The undercover individual is referred to in a criminal complaint as ‘OC.’ 

‘The FBI and our partners continued working 24/7 over the holidays protecting the American people, and this case out of Charlotte foiling another alleged New Years Eve attacker is the latest example of their tremendous work,” said FBI Director Kash Patel to Fox News. 

‘Our teams quickly identified the threat and acted decisively — no doubt saving American lives in the process. Thanks to our Joint Terrorism Task Force and regional partners both in New York and Western North Carolina for their efforts.’

The FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack inspired by ISIS on New Year’s Eve

Christian Sturdivant, 18, was arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to provide material support to ISIS

A note allegedly written by the suspect for the New Year’s Eve attack

‘During his online communications with the OC, Sturdivant said, “I will do jihad soon,” and proclaimed he was “a soldier of the state,” meaning ISIS,’ the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Sturdivant on December 14th provided ‘OC’ an image of two hammers and a knife. 

Moreover, law enforcement uncovered various handwritten documents by Sturdivant during a December 29th search of his residence. 

One handwritten note read ‘New years Attack 2026’ along with a written list of items for the potential attack, including a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and two knives.

‘It also listed a goal of stabbing as many civilians as possible and [the] total number of victims as 20 to 21. The note also included a section listed as “martyrdom Op,” with a plan to attack police that arrived at the site of the attack so the defendant would die a martyr,’ the Attorney’s Office noted. 

‘In addition, law enforcement seized from Sturdivant’s bedroom a blue hammer, a wooden handled hammer, and two butcher knives hidden underneath the defendant’s bed.’

The FBI field office in Charlotte on December 18th was tipped off that an individual, who was later identified as Sturdivant, was posting support for ISIS on social media. 

The weapons the suspect allegedly planned to use for his ISIS-inspired terror attack

‘In one social post in early December 2025, Sturdivant posted an image depicting two miniature figurines of Jesus with the on-screen text that included “May Allah curse the cross worshipers,”‘ according to the US Attorney’s Office. 

‘The post is allegedly consistent with ISIS historic practice calling for the extermination of all non-believers, including Christians and other Muslims who do not agree with the terrorist organization’s extreme ideology.’

This was the second known New Years Eve terror plot disrupted by the FBI this holiday season. Agents also arrested four people connected to a pro-Palestinian anti-law enforcement group for plotting attacks around Los Angeles last month.