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.
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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.
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