Residents are reacting to new charges against a teen accused of supporting the Islamic State group by planning a terror attack in North Carolina.
An enhanced indictment said that while 19-year-old Justin Sullivan lived in Morganton with his parents, he had researched firearms and plotted to kill at least 1,000 people.
Now, he's accused of planning the attack under the guidance of one of the most sought-after terror suspects in the world.
"I'm surprised in this little neighborhood," resident Travis Baker said.
Baker and his neighbors have been rocked by one shock after another.
In June of 2015, authorities arrested Sullivan for allegedly plotting a terror attack.
Months later, Sullivan was charged with killing his neighbor as a practice target. New charges allege Sullivan was being mentored by Junaid Hussain, a high-ranking member of the Islamic State group.
"That was real shocking there," Baker said. "Someone from here, this little country town, to get ahold of someone from ISIS."
Terrorism expert Ross Bulla said the terror group has a tough screening process and that if Sullivan had a mentor, the Islamic State group believed he had access to weapons and the motivation to carry out an attack.
"This boy that looks like he is 12 years old walking into the courthouse is in direct communication and being mentored by the third highest-ranking member in the worst terror organization in the world," Bulla said.
Bulla also said he believes there are more aspiring terrorists in the state.
"Absolutely. We are in a section of the country that is ripe with groups that practice hateful ideology and inspire lone wolf behaviors," Bulla said.
Sullivan is in federal custody and his trial is set for Oct 31.
Cox Media Group
