Idaho Teen Foiled in Alleged ISIS-Inspired Church Attack Plot

Washington — Startling events unfolded in Idaho as an 18-year-old was apprehended on Saturday for allegedly scheming to attack churchgoers in his community in the name of ISIS, as per court documents revealed on Monday.

Alexander Mercurio faces charges in connection with providing support to a foreign terrorist organization. He is currently held in custody and has not yet made a plea, as stated in court records.

Authorities claim that Mercurio was on the brink of launching an assault on at least one local church on April 7 — a Sunday — armed with guns, knives, and flammable substances. Fortunately, law enforcement thwarted his intentions before he could execute the attack.

Mercurio stands accused of communicating with an undisclosed FBI informant, expressing his intentions to "park near the church, arm the weapon(s), and strike the congregation, causing maximum casualties." Investigators assert that his aim was to carry out a martyrdom act before the conclusion of Ramadan, a sacred month observed peacefully by Muslims worldwide, emphasizing prayer and fasting, and to pledge allegiance to the ISIS leader.

"I am going to perform a martyrdom operation very soon," he allegedly wrote in one recent message. "The targets will be the various churches in my town."

In the newly-released court documents, prosecutors described an evolution of beliefs beginning in 2022 when messages and posts allegedly revealed the teenager's interest in ISIS and his parents' apparent dissatisfaction with his religious beliefs. He stored media on his electronic devices including a jihadi chant, investigators said, and posted pro-ISIS material online. 

Court documents revealed Mercurio also allegedly told members of a terror-affiliated group chat that he had previously been in contact with an individual who was later arrested for providing financial support to the terrorist group. 

Earlier this year, he met at various points with a confidential FBI source and reiterated his desire to die a martyr. In meetings and via online messaging, Mercurio allegedly revealed that he planned to "donate every last cent in my bank to the State (ISIS)" and wanted to film a video message in support of ISIS before he carried out his attack. 

"I really want to (carry out) an operation," investigators alleged he said recently, and at a different time told the confidential FBI source that he wanted to "fix" what he saw as too many churches in his area.

Alleged Plot to Attack Churches Thwarted by FBI

A man's plan to attack churches in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho was foiled by the FBI, according to prosecutors. The plan reportedly involved attacking his father with a metal pipe, stealing his guns, and using them in the attack. Additionally, the man allegedly planned to use chemicals like hand sanitizer or butane to destroy the churches he targeted.

Charging documents revealed that on April 3, the man declared his allegiance to the leader of ISIS, posing with a knife in front of the terrorist organization's flag. Despite being asked if he would postpone his plans on April 5, the man reportedly indicated that he would not delay, as detailed in court records.

Following the execution of a search warrant at his family's home, the FBI arrested the man one day before the planned attack. During the search, investigators seized a metal pipe, butane, hand sanitizer, a machete, and multiple firearms stored in his father's closet.

"The defendant swore loyalty to ISIS and planned to carry out an attack on churches in Coeur d'Alene," stated Attorney General Merrick Garland upon announcing the man's arrest. "Thanks to the FBI's investigative efforts, the defendant was apprehended before he could act."

As of now, an attorney for the defendant has not been identified.