Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 24 October 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

Coeur d’Alene man pleads guilty to plotting ISIS attack on local churches

A 20-year-old man from Idaho has pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to provide material support and resources to the terrorist organization ISIS. Court documents revealed he pledged allegiance to ISIS and after being unable to travel overseas, planned a domestic attack directed at local churches. He created an online repository to disseminate pro-ISIS content, acquired weapons and other items, and targeted churches in Coeur d’Alene Idaho for an attack scheduled for April 7^th, 2024. The FBI arrested him on April 6^th the day before the planned operation. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison with sentencing set for January 27^th, 2026.

Analyst Comments: This case underscores the persistent domestic threat posed by individuals radicalized online who adopt extremist ideologies like ISIS without direct foreign coordination. These actions demonstrate how self-radicalization, digital propaganda, and access to weapons can quickly translate into a credible local threat targeting vulnerable community spaces such as HOW. The FBI’s timely intervention just one day before the planned attack highlights the importance of ongoing digital monitoring and community-based reporting to detect behavioral indicators of mobilization to violence. Faith organizations and local law enforcement should continue emphasizing active threat awareness, safety planning, and coordination with federal partners to prevent similar lone-actor plots. FB-ISAO recently shared updated Mobilization Indicators in our Slack workspace for members to review and help them better identify individuals who are in the process of radicalizing to violence. Click here to learn more about member benefits.

LDS Church reiterates safety protocols for members, doesn’t budge on gun ban

In a recent directive from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the leadership reaffirmed its existing safety protocols for congregations, notably maintaining its ban on firearms on church premises except when carried by law enforcement. Following a deadly attack at an LDS meetinghouse in Michigan on September 28^th the Church’s Security Department issued updated guidance to local leaders emphasizing awareness of one’s surroundings, limiting unlocked entry points, walking in groups to parking areas, building relationships with emergency responders, and ensuring active shooter response training is in place.  The communication underscores that feelings of welcome and safety in sacred spaces remain a top priority for the Church.  However, the position has sparked internal debate: some members have petitioned the Church to allow “responsible, law-abiding” individuals to carry firearms into services, arguing the “run, hide, fight” model is inadequate.  Meanwhile, other members express concern that loosening the firearms ban could lead to confusion or unintended harm during crisis situations. 

Analyst Comments: The LDS Church’s reaffirmation of its firearm bans while emphasizing situational awareness and partnership with local law enforcement reflects a balanced, prevention-focused approach to faith-based security. Rather than increasing the presence of weapons in worship spaces, the Church is prioritizing proactive safety culture emphasizing vigilance, access control, and relationship-building with first responders. This strategy aligns with broader best practices for religious institutions seeking to reduce risks without compromising their environment of peace and inclusivity.

Security coordinators and local leaders for all HOWs face a similar challenge of balancing security and openness. Those in charge of HOW safety or facility management are encouraged to consistently monitor the threat environment to understand when policy changes and security posture updates are appropriate, and to do so in coordination with local law enforcement.

Bastrop police confirm church bomb threat was a hoax; juvenile suspect in custody

Bastrop Police Department responded at approximately 8:56 a.m. to a bomb threat call at a local church in Bastrop, Texas.  Investigators determined the threat was a hoax after discovering a voicemail left by a juvenile suspect. The juvenile is now in custody, though authorities have not released the suspect’s identity or further investigation details.  The police department issued a statement reassuring the public that there was no risk to surrounding businesses or the broader community.

Analyst Comments: The Bastrop incident reflects a growing challenge faced by law enforcement and communities nationwide of rising hoax threats targeting schools, churches, and public spaces. Although this threat was determined to be false, such incidents still generate significant disruption, fear, and resource strain. Responding agencies must treat every report as credible until proven otherwise. Hoax threats, particularly when perpetrated by juveniles, often stem from motives such as seeking attention, retaliation, or testing response capabilities. However, these acts carry serious legal and social consequences including potential felony charges, restitution for emergency response costs, and long-term reputational harm. Faith-based institutions and community organizations should continue encouraging situational awareness and swift communication with authorities when threats arise. Public education also plays a key role: raising awareness that false threats are not pranks but criminal acts that endanger responders, disrupt community trust, and can incite unnecessary panic. The Bastrop case serves as a reminder that vigilance and responsible reporting remain essential, even when threats prove unfounded.