An 18-year-old from Idaho named Alexander Mercurio was arrested and accused of plotting to kill churchgoers in his town in the name of ISIS, according to court documents unsealed on Monday. Mercurio was charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and remains in custody without entering a plea. Investigators alleged that he planned to attack at least one church in his area on April 7 with guns, knives, and flammable chemicals but were able to foil his plans before he could carry them out.
Court documents revealed an evolution of Mercurio’s beliefs, starting in 2022 with an interest in ISIS and his parents’ dissatisfaction with his religious beliefs. He stored jihadi media on his electronic devices, posted pro-ISIS material online, and had contact with individuals associated with terrorist groups. Mercurio also expressed a desire to die a martyr and pledged allegiance to ISIS leader. His plan involved attacking his father, stealing his guns, and using chemicals to destroy churches he targeted.
Prosecutors described how Mercurio planned to carry out his attack by attacking his father with a metal pipe, stealing his guns, and using chemicals like hand sanitizer or butane to destroy churches. He declared his allegiance to ISIS, held a knife in front of a flag belonging to the terrorist organization, and expressed a desire to wage an attack in its name. The FBI executed a search warrant at his family’s home, arrested him, and seized weapons and materials intended for the attack.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Mercurio swore an oath of loyalty to ISIS and planned to carry out an attack on churches in his town. The FBI’s investigative efforts led to his arrest before he could act on his plans. The charges against Mercurio come shortly after federal law enforcement agencies issued a bulletin warning of possible threats to public gatherings in the United States inspired by a recent deadly terror attack in Russia. ISIS-aligned media groups released messages encouraging attacks against mass gatherings.
The case of Alexander Mercurio highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of law enforcement efforts to prevent attacks. Mercurio’s alleged plot to attack churches in his town in the name of ISIS underscores the potential dangers posed by individuals radicalized by terrorist ideologies. The swift actions taken by the FBI to arrest Mercurio and prevent the attack demonstrate the effectiveness of law enforcement in disrupting terrorist activities. Authorities continue to monitor and respond to threats to public gatherings to ensure the safety and security of communities across the country.
