Who is Christian Sturdivant? ISIS-inspired teen captured by FBI before he could pull off 'terrorist attack' in North Carolina on New Year’s Eve

An 18-year-old from Mint Hill, North Carolina, is accused of plotting a deadly New Year’s Eve attack in support of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, before FBI agents moved in to stop him.

The suspect was identified as Christian Sturdivant, who planned to stab civilians at public locations using knives, firearms and hammers, with the aim of killing as many people as possible.


Sturdivant was arrested on December 31, 2025, and has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. The criminal complaint was unsealed after he appeared in federal court in Charlotte. He remains in custody.

Officials said the alleged plot targeted a grocery store and a fast food restaurant and was in its final stages. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve.”

According to court documents, the FBI became aware of Sturdivant on December 18, 2025, after receiving information about social media posts in which he praised ISIS, a designated terrorist organisation by many countries. Earlier that month, he allegedly shared an image mocking Christianity, accompanied by hateful language similar to ISIS propaganda calling for violence against non-believers.

According to the FBI, Sturdivant began communicating online with an undercover federal agent posing as an ISIS supporter. During those conversations, Sturdivant allegedly said, “I will do jihad soon,” and referred to himself as “a soldier of the state,” a phrase linked to ISIS.

On December 14, he sent the federal agent an image showing two hammers and a knife. Prosecutors say the image was similar to ISIS propaganda encouraging knife attacks in Western countries. On December 19, he allegedly sent a voice recording pledging loyalty to ISIS.

FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The accused allegedly wanted to be a soldier for ISIS and made plans to commit a violent attack on New Year’s Eve in support of that terrorist group, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that.”

A search of Sturdivant’s home on December 29 uncovered handwritten notes, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026”. Prosecutors say the document listed equipment such as a vest, mask, tactical gloves and knives, and described a plan to stab up to 20 or 21 civilians. The note also includes a so-called “martyrdom op” in which Sturdivant intended to attack police responding to the scene so he would die as a martyr.

John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said, “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.”

The FBI said they found two butcher knives and two hammers hidden under Sturdivant’s bed, along with a list of targets and tactical gear. Investigators believe these items matched those shown in messages sent to the undercover contact.

If convicted, Sturdivant faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said that the charges remain allegations and that he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.