Who is Christian Sturdivant? Mint Hill teen arrested for plotting ISIS-type attack in North Carolina

US authorities have thwarted a knife-and-hammer attack allegedly planned in the name of the Islamic State group in North Carolina on New Year’s Eve, the Department of Justice said on Friday.

Federal agents arrested an 18-year-old man, Christian Sturdivant, on Wednesday after uncovering what officials described as a plot to carry out a violent assault in the town of Mint Hill. The arrest came days before the planned attack, averting what investigators fear could have been a deadly incident.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the disruption of the alleged plot, saying law enforcement acted before any harm could occur. “The @FBI and partners foiled another potential New Year’s Eve attack from an individual allegedly inspired by ISIS,” Patel wrote on X, adding that the FBI’s Charlotte office would provide further details at a press conference.