Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – An Idaho teenager was taken into custody by authorities for allegedly planning to commit violence against churchgoers in his hometown on behalf of the Islamic State group. The suspect, Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, from Coeur d’Alene, was apprehended on a Saturday as part of an investigation led by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, a day before his planned attack was to take place.
Mercurio faces charges of attempting to provide support to ISIS, with authorities stating that he was actively preparing to target churches in Coeur d’Alene, armed with various weapons including knives, firearms, and fire. Investigators revealed that his planned attack was set to coincide with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Authorities disclosed details of Mercurio’s elaborate plan, citing messages where he outlined intentions to carry out violent acts against church attendees, with the goal of inflicting harm and destruction. If convicted, Mercurio could potentially face up to 20 years in federal prison. Currently, a court date has not been scheduled for his case.
In the course of the investigation, FBI sources engaged with Mercurio directly, learning of his proclaimed allegiance to ISIS and his strategy to carry out attacks on both his father and a local church. Upon his arrest, law enforcement officers discovered various items indicative of his plans, including an ISIS flag, weapons, and other materials. Additionally, Mercurio had reportedly engaged in online activities promoting ISIS propaganda and discussed ways to support the extremist group financially.
The FBI’s scrutiny of Mercurio was part of a broader investigation into a fundraising network that channels support to ISIS factions in Syria and Afghanistan. The agency noted that Mercurio was involved in an encrypted chat group advocating for ISIS ideologies, with evidence also pointing to his interest in radical materials associated with far-right terrorists.
Following the arrest, Attorney General Merrick Garland commended the FBI’s intervention, preventing Mercurio from carrying out his intended acts of violence. FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned Mercurio’s sinister plot, underscoring the dangers posed by self-radicalization within communities. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of extremism and the need for vigilant security measures to safeguard public safety.