This DAP highlights – GMU student charged in mass-casualty plot targeting Jews. DAP also has More Faith-Based Stories and Select All-Hazard Stories. 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.
Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 9 April 2024
Faith-Based Security Headlines
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.
Idaho Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS
From the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) press release:
Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was arrested Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Coeur d’Alene for attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS.
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Mercurio pledged his allegiance to ISIS and intended to commit attacks on its behalf. He planned to attack individuals at churches in Coeur d’Alene on April 7 using weapons, including knives, firearms, and fire.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) conducted the investigation and thwarted Mercurio’s violent plot. Mercurio is currently in custody awaiting his initial appearance which will be set by the Court.
…
“This case should be an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization, which is a real threat to our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Protecting the American people from terrorism remains the FBI’s number one priority, and we continue to encourage the public to report anything suspicious to the FBI or your local law enforcement.”
PDF of DOJ 48-page criminal complaint.
Related articles:
- Idaho teen arrested for allegedly plotting to attack church in name of ISIS
- Champions League ties to go ahead amid terror threat
Analyst Comment:
This lone offender planned to attack churches in support of ISIS. In addition to firearms, he planned to use edged weapons and Fire as a Weapon. While active shooters are a serious threat, other methods of attack should be considered, including Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks and Fire as a Weapon.
Special Agent in Charge Sinha’s comments are relevant to Faith-Based Organizations’ (FBO) security posture. Self-radicalization is a real threat to FBOs and reporting suspicious activities to the FBI, or your local law enforcement, is also important.
Suspicious activities can be reported on the FBI’s Electronic Tip Form or to local law enforcement. As the Tip website states, in an emergency, call 911.
FB-ISAO’s 8 April 2024 Daily Awareness Post highlighted that US intel warns of potential terrorist threat at gatherings after Moscow attack.
FB-ISAO’s Daily Awareness Posts on 27 March 2024 and 25 March 2024 provide a variety of resources to protect soft targets and crowded places from lone offenders and other threats.
Additionally, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People.
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