A teenager has been arrested for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired drone terror attack for Phoenix’s Pride events.
Marvin Aneer Jalo, 17, of Peoria – just outside of Phoenix – was arrested on October 18 and charged with felony counts of terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Jalo allegedly had an instructional video on his phone that depicted an ISIS fighter making explosive Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), and had been communicating with extremists who were recruiting him in a chatroom in 2023, according to AZ Family.
He reportedly posted that he could ‘bomb 2024 Pride Parade and take over USA’ and that he had supplies to make explosive shipped to him, according to the outlet.
Police believe, based on his messages, that the teen planned on making a ‘bomb drone’ using a remote-controlled vehicle.
Marvin Aneer Jalo, 17, of Peoria – just outside of Phoenix – was arrested on October 18 and charged with felony counts of terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism. Police believe that the teen planned on making a ‘bomb drone’ using a remote-controlled vehicle
Jalo allegedly had an instructional video on his phone that depicted an ISIS fighter making explosive Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and had said in a chatroom that he could ‘bomb 2024 Pride Parade and take over USA’ (pictured: 2024 Phoenix Pride)
‘He definitely took steps in the process of putting together something that would act as an explosive,’ Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell told AZ Family.
Mitchell said the boy had ‘very radical ideas’ and that he was ‘homophobic.’
The criminal complaint, viewed by AZ Family, said that Jalo had searched the Phoenix Pride parade event prior to the celebrations last weekend.
The case is being investigating by the Attorney’s Office, FBI, and two police departments.
‘These are serious charges. They do come with mandatory prison sentences,’ Mitchell said.
The criminal complaint said that Jalo had searched the Phoenix Pride parade event (pictured) prior to the celebrations last weekend. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the boy had ‘very radical ideas’ and that he was ‘homophobic’
Jalo is currently being held on a $1million cash-only bond, according to Mitchell.
The Pride celebrations carried on without incident and saw Governor Katie Hobbs and Former UN Ambassador Susan Rice attend, according to AZ Family.
Earlier this year, ahead of Pride Month in June, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned that foreign terrorist organization and their supporters might attack venues and events.
Major cities, like New York City, strengthen security at its events in June.
Phoneix’s Pride events are held in October – which is LGBT History Month – instead of June due to the high summer temperatures the city gets.
