Christian Sturdivant is an 18-year-old man from Mint Hill, North Carolina, who was arrested and charged by federal authorities for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired terror attack in the United States that was set to take place on New Year’s Eve 2026. Federal prosecutors say the plot was aimed at a local grocery store and fast food restaurant in his community, and the attack would have used knives, hammers, and possibly a firearm if it had not been stopped.
Radicalization and FBI Investigations
Sturdivant first came to the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) when he was still a minor in January 2022, after making contact online with an ISIS member in Europe and allegedly receiving instructions to attack with a hammer while dressed in black. At that time, the earlier plan was stopped by his grandfather and he was referred for psychological care, and he reportedly lost access to social media.
In late December 2025, new information emerged linking social media posts supportive of ISIS to an account affiliated with Sturdivant, prompting fresh investigation by the FBI Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force and partner agencies.
Undercover Contact and Alleged Plot Plans
According to federal criminal complaints, Sturdivant began communicating on social media with individuals he believed were members of or connected to ISIS. Unbeknownst to him, these were actually undercover law enforcement agents from the FBI and the New York Police Department acting as supposed collaborators.
In these conversations, Sturdivant allegedly said he “will do jihad soon” and described himself as a “soldier of the state,” meaning the Islamic State group. He sent photos of hammers and a knife, and discussed plans to obtain a firearm for his attack.
When agents executed a search warrant at his residence in Mint Hill on Dec. 29, 2025, they reportedly found a handwritten document titled “New Years Attack 2026,” which outlined plans to stab up to 20 victims and potentially attack responding police officers. Seized evidence also included two butcher knives, two hammers hidden under his bed, and tactical gloves and vest.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Sturdivant was arrested on December 31, 2025, and the criminal complaint was unsealed on January 2, 2026. He is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization — an offense for which he faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
At his initial court appearance in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sturdivant was formally presented with the charges. A follow-up hearing was scheduled for January 7, 2026.
Broader Concerns About Domestic Radicalization
Officials said this case highlights the ongoing threat posed by self-radicalized individuals in the United States who embrace extremist ideologies such as that of the Islamic State, even without direct operational ties to the group overseas. The FBI and Department of Justice emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation in identifying and disrupting such threats before they can cause harm.
This foiled plot follows a series of ISIS-inspired attacks and attempted attacks in the U.S. over the past decade, underscoring ongoing concerns about domestic extremism and the challenges of detecting lone-actor plots early.