Idaho: Radicalized 18-Year-Old Planned to Kill Christians and Attack Over 21 Churches on Behalf of ISIS.

Federal authorities state that Alexander Mercurio purposefully plotted to carry out attacks on churches prior to the conclusion of Ramadan.

An 18-year-old Islamic convert from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has been arrested for allegedly planning a terrorist attack targeting churchgoers in his hometown on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS), according to federal authorities. Alexander Scott Mercurio stands accused of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, as well as pledging allegiance to the terrorist organization.

In addition to his allegiance to ISIS, Mercurio allegedly conspired to carry out attacks on individuals at over 21 churches in Coeur d’Alene on a Sunday using various weapons, including knives, guns, and fire, as revealed in a statement by the Justice Department.

Mercurio faces charges of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. This crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Despite the severity of the charges, court filings on Tuesday indicate that Mercurio is without legal counsel for his case.

The FBI’s investigation into Mercurio’s activities began when he reached out to confidential human sources online, expressing his support for ISIS and other terrorist organizations. Court documents filed in the District of Idaho reveal that Mercurio engaged in spreading ISIS propaganda online, solicited the group’s involvement in his efforts, and discussed traveling from the U.S. to join ISIS.

According to court records, Mercurio’s behavior escalated at the beginning of 2024 when he began planning a suicide attack on churches in Coeur d’Alene. His plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe, and firearms.

Choosing a specific church and intentionally planning the attack to occur on April 7 because that meant it would happen before the end of Ramadan, Mercurio meticulously planned the assault. Court documents detail his intention to assault his father with a metal pipe, acquire his father’s firearms, and launch the attack on a local church.

Federal authorities managed to intervene before Mercurio could execute his plans. During a search of Mercurio’s family home, plans for the attack, the items purchased for the crimes, and an ISIS flag were discovered.

Further investigation revealed files on Mercurio’s school-issued laptop confirming his commitment to ISIS ideology, along with his participation in online group chats with other ISIS supporters.

“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 in a statement released by the Justice Department.

“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.”

It is not surprising that the FBI did not mention the threat of Islam. Just recently, it was revealed that U.S. President Joe Biden’s top intelligence agency warned personnel not to use words like ‘jihadist’ and ‘Islamic-extremist,’ claiming that these ‘problematic phrases’ could hurt Muslim feelings.

As far as Islamic terrorists are concerned, their acts are done explicitly in the name of Allah and for the cause of Islam and Islamic law, a fact evidenced by the Islamic terrorists carrying out attacks across the globe.

However, the intelligence agency, with the advice of Islamic supremacists and their organizations who are working with our government to hide the true nature of the threat.

This is not an isolated incident; instead, it reflects a troubling trend within American intelligence agencies, where politically correct language and appeasement tactics overshadow efforts to combat Islamic terrorism.

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