U.S. News
Terror Plot Foiled in Los Angeles Bombing Case
Clear Facts
- The FBI arrested four suspected pro-Palestinian extremists accused of planning New Year’s Eve bombings in Los Angeles.
- The suspects are linked to the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which opposes law enforcement and the U.S. government.
- Authorities say bomb-making materials were found and a written attack plan was drafted.
Federal agents disrupted what they described as a credible terrorist threat in Los Angeles, detaining four individuals tied to a radical pro-Palestinian group.
Officials reported these suspects were preparing to bomb five locations using improvised explosive devices on New Year’s Eve.
The FBI identified the group as a faction of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, whose ideology combines pro-Palestinian sympathies with anti-law-enforcement and anti-government beliefs.
The arrests occurred in Lucerne Valley, where the suspects were allegedly testing explosive components.
The FBI stated that a fifth individual associated with the same group was arrested in New Orleans for planning a separate attack.
The group’s Instagram has declared its intent to “free ‘Turtle Island,'” referring to North America from what it calls the “illegal American empire.”
“Free Palestine. Free Hawaii. Free Puerto Rico,” the account posted.
“Freeing the world from American imperialism is the only way to a safe and peaceful future,” it continued.
Attorney General Pam Bondi shared online that federal officials intervened to stop the planned attack in California and indicated the suspects also planned to target U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles.
“This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace,” Bondi wrote.
“We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.”
A federal complaint detailed how the accused drafted attack plans, shared bomb-making instructions, and conducted surveillance.
Three of the individuals allegedly transported potassium nitrate, PVC pipes, and other materials for explosives out to a desert campsite.
The complaint noted, “While in the desert, the co-conspirators took steps to begin construction of the devices, including unloading the bomb-making materials (e.g., precursors, PVC pipes, and fuses) from their cars and beginning to assemble the materials on a table; constructing a tent to keep the bomb materials shaded from the sun; wiping down the interior of one of the PVC pipes.”
The FBI moved in before a device could be completed.
At a press conference, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli named the accused as Audrey Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai.
“The charges we are announcing today stem from the defendants and their co-conspirators’ detailed, coordinated plot to bomb multiple U.S. companies on New Year’s Eve,” Essayli said.
Stay vigilant as threats to American safety and law enforcement remain active. Lawful authorities are working to keep our nation secure.
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