- Police searched the teenage boy's home after being made aware of his online posts
- The posts threatened 'lone wolf operations against the enemies of Allah'
- They found terrorist propaganda and components to make explosives
A Las Vegas teen has been arrested after threatening an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on social media.
Police said they found parts and instructions to build an explosive device during a search of the home of the unnamed 16-year-old boy.
Authorities began investigating the suspect after being alerted to a series of social media posts threatening “lone wolf operations in Las Vegas against the enemies of Allah.”
Police identified the suspect within hours and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center conducted a search of his home.
Deputy Chief Dori Koren said the search “turned up numerous areas of concern, including terrorism propaganda and material indicating the suspect's intent to commit an act of terrorism.”
Deputy Chief Dori Koren said the search had turned up “numerous areas of concern, including terrorism propaganda.”
A series of social media posts threatening 'lone wolf operations in Las Vegas against the enemies of Allah'
Investigators said they found an ISIS flag, as well as Al Qaeda and ISIS propaganda
Investigators said they found an ISIS flag, as well as propaganda from Al Qaeda and ISIS, and guidelines for carrying out a terrorist attack.
The boy has been charged with multiple crimes, including making terrorist threats, attempting to further an act of terror and providing material support to a terrorist organization.
He remains in custody.
The teenager's arrest comes at a time when US authorities are on high alert for possible terrorist threats during the war between Israel and Hamas.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is increasing security in the Big Apple following an intelligence report indicating an increased risk of a terrorist attack in the aftermath of Hamas' brazen attack on Israel on October 7.
The boy is suspected of several criminal offences
The teenager's arrest comes as US authorities are on high alert for possible terrorist threats during the war between Israel and Hamas
The report shows that as a result of increased violence in Israel with the bombing of Gaza, there has been an increase in 'chatter' about possible terrorist targets in the Big Apple.
“I work hard at the state level with the control I have. I'll talk about this tomorrow, about what exactly we're doing, and how many online threats we've uncovered, how many have been investigated, what the outcome is,” Hochul said.
The governor also said that her government is looking for ways to combat online radicalization.
The intelligence center report shows that hate crimes against Jewish people, Muslims and Arabs are fueled by online rhetoric.