Mint Hill man arrested for plotting ISIS-inspired NYE attack at grocery store

From WCCB Charlotte and CBS Siouxland

MINT HILL, S.C. — The FBI announced the arrest of an 18-year-old Mint Hill man for plotting an ISIS-inspired attack at a local grocery store on New Year’s Eve. The bureau reported Sturdivant was allegedly planning to use knives and hammers to attack people at a grocery store and fast food restaurant.

Christian Sturdivant has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Federal authorities said he pledged his allegiance to ISIS and made several social media posts supporting the terrorist group on TikTok.

The FBI said Sturdivant thought he was communicating online with someone involved with the foreign terrorist organization in hopes to acquire guns and weapons for the attack. Instead, the FBI said he was talking to undercover agents. Sturdivant reportedly communicated on Dec. 12 to an undercover agent that he “will do jiad soon” and was a “soldier of the state.”

After agents became aware of his potential actions, they said law enforcement used a warrant on Dec. 29 to search Sturdivant’s home and found handwritten papers, one labeled “New Years Attack 2026,” which listed a vest, mask, tactical gloves and knives. The plan, according to the FBI, described him wanting to stab as many people as possible, up to 20 to 21, before dying a martyr.

Sturdivant also had a history of online radicalization

Several agencies were involved in apprehending Sturdivant, including the New York Police Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Matthews Police Department, the Mint Hill Police Department and multiple federal agencies.