Who is Christian Sturdivant? 18-yr-old arrested for plotting an IS-inspired NYE attack in North Carolina

Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old suspect, was arrested after Federal authorities uncovered what they call “an ISIS-inspired plan” to carry out a mass stabbing on December 31, 2025, in Mint Hill, North Carolina. Investigators said that Sturdivant was planning the attack for about a year.  

On New Year’s Eve, the teen intended to commit a terrorist attack with knives and hammers at a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in Mint Hill, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official said. “The FBI and partners foiled another potential New Year’s Eve attack from an individual allegedly inspired by ISIS,” asserted Kash Patel, FBI director, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

According to a court document, prosecutors charged Sturdivant with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. The alleged ISIS suspect was on the FBI’s radar since 2022, when he was 14, the agent said.

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The #FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack on New Year's Eve in North Carolina. The subject was directly inspired to act by ISIS. A federal criminal complaint alleges 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant planned a violent attack at a grocery store in Mint Hill. SAC Barnacle… pic.twitter.com/njn7XBQTAC

— FBI Charlotte (@FBICharlotte) January 2, 2026

So, what do we know about the alleged ISIS-inspired terror suspect? And how did the US authorities foil his plans? Here’s a deep dive.

Who is Christian Sturdivant? What were his attack plans?

Christian Sturdivant is an 18-year-old who was living in Mint Hill, a suburban town in southeastern Mecklenburg and northwestern Union counties, North Carolina. According to the Wall Street Journal report, he worked at a Burger King restaurant. Sturdivant’s background is known to investigators, as he was on the FBI’s watchlist earlier, as a minor, in 2022.  

According to investigators, he was planning to attack people at a grocery store and a Burger King fast-food restaurant. Sturdivant was communicating with someone he thought was a member of ISIS, but was an undercover FBI and the New York Police Department (NYPD) personnel. During the conversation in mid-December, before the attack, he pledged his allegiance to ISIS and declared his plans to “do jihad soon,” as reported by NDTV.

The Wall Street Journal reports, citing an FBI affidavit, that the 18-year-old also sent an image of two hammers and a knife to the undercover officer (who he mistook for an ISIS member). He later told the officer about his plans to carry out an attack using knives and blunt weapons, the FBI said. The agent also noted that Sturdivant told the undercover officer that he “wanted guns” for which he was willing to pay.  

How did US officials foil the plot?

Authorities feared that the suspect could attack before New Year’s Eve, the FBI planned to keep Sturdivant under constant surveillance for many days, including Christmas, said US Attorney for Western North Carolina Russ Ferguson.  

On December 29, officials searched his home, and they found a handwritten note titled ‘The New Year’s Attack 2026’, in which Sturdivant outlined his goals of stabbing as many civilians as possible, according to officials. Police seized two hammers and two butcher knives found under Sturdivant’s bed, which indicated he hoped to kill at least 11 people before being killed by police in a confrontation, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Officials also found tactical gloves and a vest.

“He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die. And we were very, very fortunate they did not. I can tell you from his notes he was targeting Jews, Christians and LGBTQ individuals,” Ferguson told reporters at a press conference. “He was preparing for jihad and innocent people were going to die, and we are very, very fortunate they did not,” added Ferguson. The US Attorney for Western North Carolina also confirmed that he was planning the alleged New Year’s Eve plot for about a year.

Was Sturdivant known to authorities?

His arrest came after three years. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) first opened a probe into Sturdivant in 2022, when he was 14.  

According to the FBI agent, after being instructed by ISIS members on social media, Sturdivant left his house in January 2022 wearing all black, and intended to kill his neighbour with a hammer and knife. His grandfather, a grocery-store worker, stopped him and brought him back inside the house, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Back then, he was advised to seek psychological care, and officials came to know that he was no longer active on social media.

“He was in contact via social media with an unidentified ISIS member overseas. Sturdivant received direction from this unidentified ISIS member to dress in all black, knock on people’s doors, and attack them with a hammer. In fact, Sturdivant did dress in all black. He left this house with a hammer, and fortunately, his family stepped in,” said James C. Barnacle, Jr, FBI special agent in charge of Charlotte Field Office, as quoted by FOX News. Adding, “No charges were filed at that time. He was referred for psychological care, and he underwent psychological care."

After almost four years, according to the Justice Department, the FBI received information in mid-December that Sturdivant was posting pro-Islamic State materials online.

What are the charges against him?

The 18-year-old is charged with attempting to provide material support for a foreign terrorist organisation. If convicted, Sturdivant will face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, officials said. He remains in federal custody until he faces court on Wednesday (January 7).

With inputs from agencies