The FBI has successfully thwarted an alleged scheme to carry out an attack inside a North Carolina grocery store on New Year’s Eve, purportedly in support of the Islamic State (ISIS), prosecutors announced on Friday.

Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old from Mint Hill, a suburb near Charlotte, was apprehended and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to Russ Ferguson, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the agency’s relentless efforts, stating, “Even during the holidays, our teams were vigilant in protecting the public. This case in Charlotte, where another potential New Year’s Eve attack was averted, exemplifies their outstanding dedication.” Patel added, “Our swift identification and intervention undoubtedly saved lives. We are grateful for the collaborative work of our Joint Terrorism Task Force and regional partners in both New York and Western North Carolina.”

Authorities discovered several items in Sturdivant’s bedroom, including a blue hammer, a wooden-handled hammer, and two butcher knives, all concealed under his bed. Prosecutors revealed a note titled “New Years Attack 2026,” which was found during a search of his Mint Hill residence on December 29, 2025.

The alleged plot came to light after Sturdivant began online communications with an individual he thought was linked to ISIS. However, this person was actually a covert government operative, referenced as “OC” in the criminal complaint. On December 14, Sturdivant reportedly sent the OC an image showing two hammers and a knife.

In these communications, Sturdivant allegedly stated, “I will do jihad soon,” declaring himself “a soldier of the state,” referring to ISIS, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“In subsequent online communications with the OC, Sturdivant indicated that he planned to attack a specific grocery store in North Carolina and discussed plans to purchase a firearm to use along with the knives during the attack,” it added. 

Prosecutors said a law enforcement search of Sturdivant’s residence on Dec. 29 uncovered various handwritten documents, one of which was titled “New Years Attack 2026,” and “listed, among other things, items such as a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and two knives allegedly to be used in the attack.”

“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 continued. “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.” 

Law enforcement seized from Sturdivant’s bedroom a list of targets, as well as tactical gloves and a vest allegedly acquired as part of his planned attack. (United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina)

Sturdivant remains held in federal custody, and if convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

“The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people, and this case demonstrates our dedication to do everything we can to protect the residents of North Carolina. We worked closely with the Department of Justice, NYPD, Mint Hill Police Department, and our FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force partners to investigate and disrupt this serious threat of a violent attack. We will never stop working to hold people accountable who seek to harm and terrorize our community,” said James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office.

The Attorney’s Office, citing the criminal complaint, said on Dec. 18, the FBI in Charlotte “received information that an individual later identified as Sturdivant was making multiple social media posts in support of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.” 

Sturdivant allegedly posted an image in early December depicting two miniature figurines of Jesus with the on-screen text that included “May Allah curse the cross worshipers,” according to court documents. (United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina)

“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.’ 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,” the Attorney’s Office added.