Hammers, Knives, Manifesto: What FBI Recovered From ISIS-Inspired New Year’s Eve Attack Plotter

Absolute top Updated:January 03, 2026, 11:43 IST

Authorities snarl the 18-year-aged had pledged loyalty to ISIS and outlined plans for a mass-casualty knife attack.

A handwritten point out and weapons recovered by the FBI (left and centre) and the suspect arrested for an ISIS-inspired Contemporary Yr’s Eve attack self-discipline (approved). (IMAGE: AP/@FBICharlotte/X)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recovered hammers, knives and a handwritten manifesto from 18-year-aged Christian Sturdivant, who authorities snarl became once planning a mass-casualty attack on Contemporary Yr’s Eve in strengthen of the Islamic Advise community.

While the handwritten manifesto became once recovered from a trash container at his home, investigators talked about knives and hammers were chanced on stashed below Sturdivant’s mattress. The FBI’s Charlotte field speak of job later shared photos of the seized items on X in a post on Friday.

In step with investigators, the North Carolina teenager had deliberate to attack civilians at a meals market and a Burger King outlet using edged weapons. Courtroom records talked about Sturdivant had been on the FBI’s radar since 2022 and re-emerged as a nervousness after he contacted someone he believed became once a member of ISIS — who became once in point of truth an undercover law enforcement officer.

In some unspecified time in the future of on-line conversations in mid-December, Sturdivant pledged allegiance to ISIS and told the undercover officer that he intended to remain an attack rapidly. He later met one other undercover FBI worker, whom he also believed to be affiliated with the dread community, and started laying out particular plans for the attack, investigators talked about.

Authorities talked about searches of Sturdivant’s home uncovered two hammers and two butcher knives hidden beneath his mattress, alongside with extra tools including tactical gloves and a vest. On December 14, Sturdivant allegedly sent a video to 1 of the undercover officers exhibiting the weapons he deliberate to make snarl of.

Investigators also recovered a handwritten point out that they described as a manifesto outlining the intended attack. In step with the FBI affidavit, the point out listed tools, identified ingredients of the body to specialize in and set out an intended victim count. It talked about the goal became once to “stab as many civilians as conceivable” and expressed a desire to attack responding police officers and die during the assault. The note framed the planned violence as retaliation for attacks and airstrikes in Syria.

Worried that Sturdivant might attempt violence before New Year’s Eve, the FBI placed him under constant surveillance for several days, including on Christmas, US Attorney for Western North Carolina Russ Ferguson said.

Agents were prepared to arrest him earlier if he left his home with weapons, Ferguson said at a news conference in Charlotte. “At no point was the public in harm’s way,” he added.

Sturdivant became once arrested on Wednesday and remained in custody following a federal court docket appearance on Friday. An approved expert representing him did now not straight answer to requests for comment. One other hearing is scheduled for January 7.

FBI Particular Agent in Payment James Barnacle talked about searches of Sturdivant’s phone and speak printed detailed preparations for the attack. “He became once appealing to sacrifice himself,” Barnacle told reporters.

The alleged plot came nearly a year after a deadly ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people.

The FBI has disrupted several alleged terror plots through undercover operations in which agents pose as supporters of extremist groups.

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