Las Vegas teen arrested after he threatened 'lone wolf' terrorist attack, police say
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.
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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 [email protected]