Las Vegas Teen Arrested on Terrorism Charges After Online Threats

Posted on: December 4, 2023, 03:32h.

Last updated on: December 9, 2023, 01:53h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A teenage terrorism suspect was apprehended Friday after he allegedly posted on social media a threat to attack Las Vegas. He also had components to make a bomb, authorities revealed.

A Southern Nevada Counter-Terrorism Center patch above. Center officers arrested a teenager accused of terrorism in Las Vegas. (Image: Facebook)

The 16-year-old Las Vegas boy was described as an ISIS supporter and a recent convert to Islam. His threats appeared to target local supporters of Israel. His disturbing November 28 social media post was written partially in Arabic and included an ISIS flag.

I am here to announce that I will be starting lone wolf operations in Las Vegas against the enemies of Allah,” the suspect posted. “I am a supporter of the Islamic State, and I will make sure the Zionists in this city know it,”

The teen’s name wasn’t released, but officials said his identity and location were quickly discovered by law enforcement.

The teen was charged with making terroristic threats, attempting to further an act of terrorism, providing material support to a terrorist organization, and five counts of possession of explosive components.

Multiple SWAT teams apprehended the teen in a court-ordered search of his residence, where he lives with relatives.

Explosive Components, Instructions

When he was apprehended by officers and agents at his home, they found in his possession components to build an explosive device, according to Fox News. In addition, there were instructions on how to build a bomb and how to carry out a terrorist attack, Fox News reported.

Officers and agents also seized a handmade ISIS flag, a headband, and patches. There was also propaganda from ISIS and Al-Qaeda, as well as antisemitic threats, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

Dori Koren, deputy chief of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) Homeland Security and Special Operations Division, added that items also were located that could produce terrorist propaganda.

“We believe this is an isolated threat that we were able to quickly mitigate,” Koren told reporters. “There’s no indication at this time that there are additional threats to our community.”

U.S. law enforcement has been on heightened alert for acts of terrorism since October when war broke out between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group. ISIS and Al-Qaeda are considered terrorist groups by the U.S. government.

The Las Vegas incident was investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Southern Nevada Counter-Terrorism Center, and the LVMPD. The case will be prosecuted by the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.