‘I will do jihad soon’: How ISIS-linked Christian Sturdivant planned New Year’s Eve 'terrorist attack' and how FBI foiled it

Federal authorities say an 18-year-old man from Mint Hill, North Carolina, was stopped just days before New Year’s Eve after allegedly planning a mass-casualty terrorist attack inspired by ISIS.

Christian Sturdivant is accused of preparing to attack a grocery store and a fast food restaurant, with the intention of killing civilians and dying as a so-called martyr.


Sturdivant was arrested on December 31, 2025, and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.

Extremist social media posts

The FBI said Sturdivant’s digital footprint showed a lot of extremist ideology linked to ISIS. In early December 2025, he allegedly posted an image of two miniature figurines of Jesus alongside the words, “May Allah curse the cross worshipers.”

Authorities said the post was consistent with ISIS rhetoric calling for violence against non-believers, including Christians, Jews and Muslims who reject the group’s ideology.

Undercover op by the FBI

The FBI first became aware of Sturdivant on December 18, 2025, after receiving information that he was posting pro-ISIS content online. Investigators say he later began communicating with an undercover FBI employee posing as an ISIS supporter.

During those conversations, Sturdivant allegedly said, “I will do jihad soon,” and described himself as “a soldier of the state,” referring to ISIS. Authorities say the undercover operation allowed law enforcement to track his intentions, targets and preparations in real time in order to capture him.

Hammers, knives and the place of attack

The criminal complaint alleges that on December 14, 2025, Sturdivant sent the undercover agent an image showing two hammers and a knife. Prosecutors said that ISIS propaganda has previously encouraged attacks using knives in Western countries.

Sturdivant later told the undercover employee that he intended to attack a specific grocery store in North Carolina. He also discussed plans to purchase a firearm to use alongside knives during the attack, according to the arrest affidavit.

FBI said they found two butcher knives and two hammers hidden under Sturdivant’s bed. The items appeared to match those shown in the image he sent to the undercover contact.

Law enforcement also seized tactical gloves, a vest and a list of targets from his bedroom, all allegedly collected for the planned attack.

‘Martyrdom op’ and intent to die

On December 19, 2025, Sturdivant allegedly sent a voice recording pledging “Bayat”, a loyalty oath to ISIS.

A search of his home on 29 December revealed handwritten notes, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026”. Prosecutors say the document was about a plan to stab as many civilians as possible, with a defined goal of killing up to 20 or 21 people.

The note also included a section titled “martyrdom op”, which described plans to attack police responding to the scene so Sturdivant would be killed in the action.

“As alleged, Sturdivant aspired to become a ‘martyr’ for ISIS and was in the final stages of planning a mass-casualty attack on New Year’s Eve,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg.