Lombard teen boy accused of plotting explosion, act of terror at Glendale Heights Islamic Education Center on Goodrich Avenue: FBI
Share this @internewscast.com

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — A 16-year-old boy from Lombard has been accused of planning a terror attack at a suburban Islamic center, authorities announced Friday.

The teenager appeared in DuPage County court Friday morning, facing charges of unlawful firearm possession and attempted terrorism, as stated by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, alongside the FBI and the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Authorities reported that on July 4, the teenager visited the Islamic Education Center in the 1200-block of Goodrich Avenue in Glendale Heights, where he recorded video footage of religious services to “aid in preparing for detonating an explosive device at that location.”

Prosecutors also allege that on July 12, the boy had a gun that “was of a size that could be concealed upon his person.”

“An attempted act of terrorism, as alleged in this case, achieves the same goals of spreading fear, dividing our communities and undermining the rule of law, as does an act of terrorism,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.

Many people gathered for a prayer service at the center Friday night after learning of the arrest.

“People come here to just get really peaceful, and I really seriously think that this is not fair,” said Arshad Javid, Islamic Education Center attendee.

It was the same service that prosecutors say the teenager recorded as part of his now-failed terror plot.

Worshippers prayed in the wake of fear and frustration.

“This is really shocking news,” Javid said. “I can’t believe that this could’ve happened to us. This shouldn’t have happened to no one.”

The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the teen’s alleged actions while speaking out against what the executive director says is a concerning rise in Islamophobia.

“That is the danger of having this hate rhetoric, this anti-Muslim rhetoric, be so accepted out there, is that it only takes one person,” said Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director.

The 16-year-old suspect is now facing charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Attempt Terrorism.

A judge ordered the teen to be held in custody until his next court appearance August 4.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Wilmington, North Carolina building explosion NC leaves 4 firefighters injured

Explosion in Wilmington, North Carolina Injures Four Firefighters

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Four firefighters were injured after a building exploded Tuesday…
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says entire southern border wall to be painted black to stop people from climbing it

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announces plan to paint the entire southern border wall black to deter climbers

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Tuesday that the full stretch…
FBI arrests Sean Gardner, ex-coach at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute for US Olympics in Iowa, years after abuse reports

Former Chow’s Gymnastics Coach Sean Gardner Arrested by FBI for Olympic Athlete Abuse Allegations in Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Just as the U.S. gymnastics community was regaining…
Russia launches largest attack on Ukraine this month following Trump's meetings with Putin, Zelenskyy

Russia Initiates Major Offensive Against Ukraine Post Trump’s Meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy This Month

In its most significant assault this month, Russia unleashed an attack on…
Manatee County deputies revealing new details on Giovanni Pelletier's death

Manatee County Deputies Uncover New Information About Giovanni Pelletier’s Death

Pelletier, who was from North Carolina, was first reported missing on Aug.…
Retired Chicago priest Monsignor Daniel Mayall reinstated, accused of sexual abuse of a minor, Archdiocese of Chicago says

Chicago Archdiocese Reinstates Monsignor Daniel Mayall After Sexual Abuse Allegations

CHICAGO (WLS) — A retired priest of the Chicago-area is being reinstated…
Martha’s Vineyard residents forced to go vegan, become ‘social pariahs’ because of bloodsucking insect

Martha’s Vineyard Locals Pressured to Adopt Vegan Diets, Face Social Ostracism Due to Bloodsucking Insect Outbreak

Residents in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, are being compelled to adjust their diets…
Woman taking a selfie in a gym.

Popular fitness influencer Nicole Brenda Santos Marins dies after cycling accident involving a car and subsequent lorry collision

A FITNESS influencer has been killed in a horror crash after cycling…
Photo of Jean Pormanove.

Who Was Jean Pormanove? Tragic Passing of French Streamer During Live Broadcast

ONLINE streamer Jean Pormanove tragically died at the age of 46 after…
Ex-Space Force sergeant Orest Schur sentenced to 54 years in prison for fatally shooting suspected teen car thief in Colorado

Former Space Force Sergeant Orest Schur Sentenced to 54 Years for Killing Teen Suspected of Car Theft in Colorado

A former US Space Force sergeant who shot multiple times at two…
Aerial view of a captured US M113 armored personnel carrier with Russian and US flags.

Bold Russian Troops Waving American Flag in Combat ‘Eliminated on Frontline by Ukrainians’ Following Provocative Act

WARPED Russian soldiers who flew the American flag into battle as a…
Zelensky and Putin at a meeting in Paris.

Why Does Putin Fear Zelensky? How Meeting the ‘Nazi Comic’ Turned Hero Could Highlight the Dictator’s Shortcomings

VLADIMIR Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky have only met in person once before.…