Current:Home > MarketsLas Vegas teen arrested after he threatened 'lone wolf' terrorist attack, police say -Edge Finance Strategies
Las Vegas teen arrested after he threatened 'lone wolf' terrorist attack, police say
View
Date:2025-04-16 08:00:58
A 16-year-old Las Vegas boy suspected of threatening a "lone wolf" terrorist attack online had reportedly amassed ISIS propaganda and components to construct a bomb, according to authorities.
The teen was arrested Nov. 28 within hours of posting the threat on social media, which made reference to his devotion to the Islamic State terrorist organization, also known as ISIS, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a news release Friday.
The post stated the teen's intention to commit "lone wolf terrorist attacks" and included anti-Semitic language, Deputy Chief Dori Koren said during a Dec. 1 press conference.
Missing hiker:Search for Ann Herford ends after Michigan nurse found dead near Calaveras County trail
Raid of teen's home uncovers ISIS propaganda, bomb-making materials
After discovering the post, which included a photo of the teen posing with a homemade ISIS flag, Las Vegas police launched an investigation with the FBI's local field office.
Within hours, they identified the suspect – a recent convert to Islam – along with his residence, which they raided after obtaining a search warrant, said Koren, who oversees the police department's Homeland Security & Special Operations division.
During the search, authorities reported uncovering a trove of "terrorism propaganda and materials that indicated the suspect's intent to commit an act of terrorism," Koren said.
Among the items that authorities reported finding include radicalization materials, guidance for carrying out a terrorist attack and handmade ISIS headbands and patches, along with photos of the suspect wearing them. Authorities also discovered components needed to build an improvised explosive device, along with bombmaking instructions, Koren said.
Teen faces numerous felony charges
Las Vegas police believe the teen was acting alone and that the post was an isolated threat, Koren said.
"There is no indication at this time that there are any further threats to our community," Koren said at the press conference. "It's because of this teamwork and our relentless approach to combatting both crime and terrorism that we were collectively able to foil an ISIS-inspired terrorism threat so quickly."
The teen, who is in custody, has been charged with making terrorism threats, attempting to further an act or terrorism, providing material support to a terrorist organization, and five counts of possessing explosive components.
The Clark County District Attorney's Office, which will be prosecuting the case, did not immediately return USA TODAY's request for comment Tuesday.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
veryGood! (37)
Related
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Court says prosecutor can’t use statements from teen in school threat case
- Jazz up your document with a new font or color: How to add a text box in Google Docs
- Was the Vermont shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent a hate crime? Under state law it might be
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Mali’s governmnet to probe ethnic rebel leaders, suggesting collapse of crucial 2015 peace deal
- Judge dismisses liberal watchdog’s claims that Wisconsin impeachment panel violated open meeting law
- Tina Knowles Addresses Claim Beyoncé Bleached Her Skin for Renaissance Premiere
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Jazz up your document with a new font or color: How to add a text box in Google Docs
Ranking
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Host of upcoming COP28 climate summit UAE planned to use talks to make oil deals, BBC reports
- A Hong Kong Court hears final arguments in subversion trial of pro-democracy activists
- Michigan man says he'll live debt-free after winning $1 million Mega Millions prize
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Missing U.S. airman is accounted for 79 years after bomber Queen Marlene shot down in France
- After a flat tire, Arizona Cardinals linebacker got to game with an assist from Phoenix family
- This 3-year cruise around the world is called off, leaving passengers in the lurch
Recommendation
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Meet 'Samba': The vape-sniffing K9 dog in Florida schools used to crack down on vaping
Patrick Kane signs with the Detroit Red Wings for the rest of the NHL season
Latest projection points to modest revenue boost for Maine government
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's Son James Wilkie Shares Rare Family Photo
Beyoncé was a 'serial people pleaser.' Is that really such a bad thing? Yes.
The Libertarian Developer Looming Over West Maui’s Water Conflict