FBI Disrupts ISIL-Inspired Plot Targeting New Year’s Festivities
Charlotte, North Carolina – January 3, 2026
In a major blow to domestic terrorism, federal authorities have announced that the FBI disrupts ISIL-inspired plot targeting New Year’s festivities in the quiet bedroom community of Mint Hill, North Carolina.
The arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, identified as Christian Sturdivant, has brought to light a chilling plan to attack civilians at everyday locations, proving once again that the threat of radicalization remains a persistent challenge for national security in 2026.
The Anatomy of the Thwarted Attack
The details released by the Department of Justice on Friday paint a terrifying picture of what could have occurred on New Year’s Eve. FBI disrupts ISIL-inspired plot targeting New Year’s festivities after a weeks-long undercover operation revealed that Sturdivant had pledged his loyalty to the Islamic State (ISIS) and was in the final stages of preparing a mass-casualty event.
The targets were not high-profile government buildings or monuments, but rather a local grocery store and a fast-food restaurant—places where families and residents gather daily.
According to the federal affidavit, Sturdivant planned to use knives and hammers to carry out the massacre, a choice of weaponry that mirrors instructions found in ISIS propaganda magazines designed to inspire “lone wolf” attacks in Western nations.
Digital Radicalization and Undercover Intervention
Sturdivant’s journey toward radicalization reportedly began online, where he managed a TikTok account and frequented extremist chat rooms.
The investigation into his activities intensified in early December 2025, when he allegedly posted hateful imagery and messages calling for violence against non-believers, including Christians, Jews, and the LGBTQ+ community.
The breakthrough in the case came when Sturdivant began communicating with what he believed were ISIS facilitators. In reality, he was speaking with an undercover NYPD officer and subsequently an undercover FBI employee.
During these encrypted exchanges, the suspect explicitly stated, “I will do jihad soon,” and sent images of the weapons he intended to use. This real-time intelligence allowed the FBI disrupts ISIL-inspired plot targeting New Year’s festivities to occur without the public ever being in immediate danger.
Evidence Recovered: The “New Years Attack 2026” Manifesto
On December 29, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at Sturdivant’s residence in Mint Hill. The evidence recovered was staggering.
Hidden under the suspect’s bed were two butcher knives and two hammers, matching the photos he had sent to the undercover agents.
More disturbingly, investigators found a handwritten manifesto titled “New Years Attack 2026.”
The document listed a detailed “kill count” goal, aiming to stab at least 20 to 21 people.
It also outlined a plan to engage arriving law enforcement officers, with Sturdivant expressing a desire to die as a “martyr.”
The manifesto even included a checklist of tactical gear, including a mask, tactical gloves, and a ballistic vest. “He was willing to sacrifice himself,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle during a press conference in Charlotte.
A Multi-Year History of Concern
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this case is that Sturdivant had been on the FBI’s radar since 2022. At just 14 years old, he had been in contact with an ISIS member in Europe who instructed him to dress in black and attack neighbors with a hammer.
At that time, his family intervened, and he underwent psychological treatment.
The 2026 plot represents a failure of long-term deradicalization efforts but a triumph of modern surveillance.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized that while the suspect’s mental health history was known, the transition to active plotting necessitated federal intervention.
The FBI placed Sturdivant under constant 24-hour surveillance through the Christmas holiday to ensure he did not act prematurely.
Headline Points of the Counter-Terrorism Operation
The Suspect:
18-year-old Christian Sturdivant, a U.S. citizen and resident of Mint Hill, NC.
The Plot:
A planned stabbing attack at a grocery store and fast-food restaurant on New Year’s Eve.
The Evidence:
Two butcher knives, two hammers, and a handwritten “2026 Attack” manifesto.
The Tactic:
Lone wolf” radicalisation via social media platforms like TikTok and encrypted chats.
The Outcome:
Arrested on December 31, 2025; faces up to 20 years in federal prison for providing material support to a terrorist organization.
The Role of Independent Journalism
At Castle Journal, we remain committed to reporting the truth about global security threats. This case highlights the evolving nature of terrorism, where the battlefield has shifted from foreign deserts to local suburban communities.
The community of Mint Hill can breathe a sigh of relief as 2026 begins, but the case serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required by both law enforcement and the public.
The FBI disrupts ISIL-inspired plot targeting New Year’s festivities, but the conversation surrounding online radicalization and mental health intervention is only just beginning.
