North Texas Teen Arrested for Planning ISIS-Inspired Attack

North Texas Teen Arrested for Planning ISIS-Inspired Attack

Officials said in an arrest affidavit that the suspect had talked online with an FBI source beginning in December 2017 and told the informant that he wanted to carry out a terrorist attack. He mentioned to the FBI source that he’d considered traveling to Pakistan and crossing the border into Afghanistan to join the Islamic State.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • May 03, 2018

A 17-year-old North Texas Student has been arrested on suspicion of plotting an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting at a mall in Frisco, Texas, authorities announced Wednesday. According to authorities, the suspect planned to carry out the attack in mid-May with other participants.

The suspect was taken into custody Tuesday at Plano West Senior High School, where he is a student. Plano Independent Schools sent a letter to parents to inform them of the incident, noting that "The student was arrested without incident. Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the offense for which the student was arrested was unrelated to Plano West, Plano ISD or any fellow students."

Officials said in an arrest affidavit that the suspect had talked online with an FBI source beginning in December 2017 and told the informant that he wanted to carry out a terrorist attack. He mentioned to the FBI source that he’d considered traveling to Pakistan and crossing the border into Afghanistan to join the Islamic State.

Investigators said that over the course of four months, he talked to two informants and an undercover agent about possible targets that included an unnamed school, a Hindu temple, and Stonebriar Centre Mall in Frisco, Texas. The suspect allegedly spent weeks staking out the mall, detailing the placement of security and outlining a strategy for a surprise attack on police.

According to authorities, the suspect had sent more than $1,400 to an informant for the purchase of tactical gear and weapons. He had also allegedly written a letter titled “Message to America” to explain his reasons for the planned attack.

The case was investigated by local police and the FBI.

"We are fortunate that the brave men and women of local and federal law enforcement work around the clock to prevent acts of terrorism and mass shootings," District Attorney Greg Willis said. "I'd like to thank the FBI's North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Frisco and Plano police departments for their efforts in this case and their vigilance in protecting the citizens of Collin County."

Under Texas law, if convicted, the suspect could face up to life in prison for criminal solicitation and up to 10 years for making a terroristic threat.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.