FBI Says It Disrupted Alleged New Year’s Eve Attack Plot in North Carolina

Federal authorities say they disrupted an alleged New Year’s Eve attack plot in the Charlotte area community of Mint Hill, North Carolina, arresting an 18-year-old they accuse of attempting to support ISIS and carry out a mass-casualty assault using knives and hammers. The suspect, identified by officials as Christian Sturdivant, is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years if convicted.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the criminal complaint was filed on Dec. 31, 2025, and unsealed on Jan. 2, 2026, the same day Sturdivant made his initial appearance in federal court in Charlotte. Authorities allege the plan targeted civilians at a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant, with reporting identifying the fast-food location as a Burger King.

According to the complaint, the FBI received information in mid-December linking Sturdivant to social media content supportive of ISIS, then began monitoring and engaging him online. Prosecutors allege Sturdivant believed he was communicating with ISIS supporters, but he was actually interacting with undercover personnel, including an FBI online covert employee, with assistance from NYPD undercover cyber investigators.

Officials say Sturdivant discussed committing “jihad,” expressed interest in conducting an attack on New Year’s Eve, and shared imagery of weapons. The Justice Department alleges that during the investigation, Sturdivant sent a photo showing two hammers and a knife and later described an intent to stab as many people as possible.

The complaint states that agents executed a search warrant on Dec. 29, 2025, recovering handwritten documents, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026,” that listed items such as a vest, mask and tactical gloves and described an assault concept aimed at civilians and, according to prosecutors, responding police. Authorities also allege that despite a relative attempting to remove weapons from his access, agents found hammers and butcher knives hidden in his bedroom along with tactical gear.

At a press conference referenced in national reporting, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said agents placed the suspect under constant surveillance for several days because of concern he might carry out violence earlier than planned, adding that investigators believed there was no imminent danger to the public at the time of the arrest.

The case has also raised questions about how early warning signs are handled, after reporting indicated Sturdivant had previously come to the FBI’s attention in 2022, when he was a juvenile, over concerns tied to contact with someone the FBI believed was associated with ISIS overseas. Reuters reported he was not charged then and instead received psychological treatment.

While online posts have circulated framing the incident as a “New York” New Year’s Eve plot, the allegations center on North Carolina; NYPD’s involvement, according to the federal complaint, was through undercover cyber investigators assisting the operation rather than the reported target location being in New York.

Sturdivant remained in custody following his court appearance Friday, and a detention hearing was scheduled for Jan. 7, according to reporting. The allegations in the complaint have not been proven in court, and the case is expected to proceed through federal pretrial proceedings in the weeks ahead.