At a Glance
- FBI arrests 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant for a New Year’s Eve plot in Mint Hill, NC.
- He planned to strike a grocery store and a Burger King, citing ISIS influence.
- Search uncovered weapons, tactical gear, and a note expressing a desire to die in police confrontation.
- Why it matters: The arrest shows federal law enforcement’s ongoing effort to prevent domestic terrorism linked to foreign extremist groups.
On Friday, the FBI announced the arrest of Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old from Mint Hill, NC, who had plotted a New Year’s Eve attack on a grocery store and a Burger King. Inspired by ISIS, the teenager had spent a year gathering weapons and posting extremist content online. The case underscores the federal agency’s vigilance against lone-wolf plots.
The Plot and Arrest
The FBI, Justice Department, and partner agencies revealed that Sturdivant, a Burger King employee, had planned to strike a grocery store and a Burger King on New Year’s Eve. He had spent months online consuming ISIS propaganda and creating TikTok videos. During a search of his home, officials found hammers, knives, tactical gloves, a Kevlar vest, and a handwritten note expressing a desire to die at police hands.
- Hammers
- Knives
- Tactical gloves
- Kevlar vest
- Handwritten note
Background and Investigation
Sturdivant first came to federal attention in 2022 when he attempted to kill his neighbor with a hammer and knife, an act stopped by his grandfather; no charges were filed then, and he was referred for psychological care. Investigators say he communicated with undercover NYPD officers and FBI agents he believed were ISIS members. The plot remains an active investigation, and officials confirm he worked alone.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Attempted neighbor attack | 2022 |
| Foiled New Year’s Eve plot | Friday (2024) |
| Halloween weekend plot foiled in Michigan | October 2023 |
| LA bomb plot arrested | December 2023 |
The FBI also foiled other plots in recent months, including a Halloween weekend attempt in Michigan and a December bomb plot in Los Angeles, though the latter was not linked to ISIS.
James Barnacle stated:
> “We could be announcing a national tragedy. Instead, a terrorist attack was thwarted.”
Russ Ferguson said:
> “It was a very well-planned, thoughtful attack that he had planned, and that was fortunately foiled. Here he was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die, and we were very, very fortunate they did not.”
Russ Ferguson added:
> “Sturdivant had been communicating online with undercover New York Police Department officers and FBI agents whom he believed to be members of ISIS.”
Key Takeaways
- Christian Sturdivant was arrested for a New Year’s Eve plot targeting a grocery store and a Burger King.
- The investigation uncovered weapons, tactical gear, and a death-wish note.
- The FBI has foiled multiple plots linked to foreign extremist groups in recent months.
The arrest of Christian Sturdivant highlights the persistent threat of lone-wolf terrorism and the federal agencies’ readiness to intervene before attacks occur.
