Federal authorities have arrested Alexander Scott Mercurio, an 18-year-old student from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, for allegedly plotting to attack more than 21 churches in his hometown on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. Mercurio has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS and pledging his allegiance to the group.
According to court documents filed in the District of Idaho, the FBI began investigating Mercurio after he reached out to confidential human sources online and expressed his support for ISIS and other terrorist organizations. Mercurio allegedly spread ISIS propaganda online, solicited the group's approval for his efforts, and discussed various ways to support the organization, including traveling to join them and planning attacks.
"Mercurio's behavior escalated at the beginning of 2024 when he began planning a suicide attack on churches in Coeur d'Alene," court records show. His plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe, and firearms to inflict "maximum casualties" during the attack, which he intentionally scheduled to take place before the end of Ramadan on April 7.
As part of his plan, Mercurio allegedly intended to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe, handcuff him, and steal his guns from a locked closet. He purchased butane canisters and a metal pipe in preparation for the attack. Authorities also found an ISIS flag in Mercurio's bedroom during a search of his family's home on Saturday.
Mercurio, who attended school online, used a school-issued laptop to communicate with ISIS supporters and store files confirming his commitment to the terrorist group's ideology. In an online conversation with a confidential human source, Mercurio detailed his plan to attack the churches, writing, "Stop close by the church, equip the weapon(s) and storm the temple, kill as many as possible before they inevitably scatter, then burn the temple to the ground and flee the scene, then move onto the next church, rinse and repeat for all 21+ churches in the town until killed."
The FBI managed to thwart Mercurio's plan before he could harm his father or carry out the attacks. If convicted, Mercurio could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the investigative efforts of the FBI, stating, "Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISIS's mission of terror and violence. The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against the people and interests of the United States."
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit emphasized the importance of protecting communities from terrorism, while Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI warned of the dangers of self-radicalization and encouraged the public to report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
