ISIS Sympathizer
An ISIS sympathizer was arrested Friday by the FBI in Manhattan, Kansas for plotting to kill U.S. soldiers at nearby major Army base,?Fort Riley, also in?Kansas.
John T. Booker, Jr. (20), also known as Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, planned to detonate a vehicle suicide bomb targeting U.S. military personnel. According to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, Booker’s intent was ?on behalf of ISIS.?
“We face a continued threat from individuals within our own borders who may be motivated by a variety of causes. Anyone who seeks to harm this nation and its people will be brought to justice.”
The Attack
In Booker’s interpretation of the Koran, he believes it reads, ?kill your enemies wherever they are.”
Booker purchased the components to build his suicide bomb and rented a storage locker. He planned to martyr himself by detonating the bomb according to the FBI source.
Booker prepared a video stating he planned to “bring the Islamic State straight to your doorstep.”
The FBI contact deactivated the explosive device. When the terrorist tried to arm the bomb, the FBI arrested him.
Internet Phase
Booker came to the FBI’s attention with his public posts:
“I will soon be leaving you forever so goodbye! I’m going to wage jihad and hopes that I die.”
“Getting ready to be killed in jihad (holy war) is a HUGE adrenaline rush!! I am so nervous. NOT because I am scared to die but I am eager to meet my lord.”
Those posts led to the FBI’s first interview of Booker.
Booker enlisted in the Army to attack U.S. soldiers from the inside. One of his plans was, “firing at other soldiers” at the firing range then using guns and swords to kill military officers.
Last year Booker made contact with a man who unbeknownst to him was a confidential FBI source. Booker told him,
“[I] was in jihad before… I support al?Qa’ida?openly.”
Booker’s background
Booker was in the ROTC program at Topeka West High School. Although he was recruited into the U.S. Army in 2014, he never showed for basic training.
The FBI charged him with,
?Attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, to damage property by means of an explosive and to provide material support to the Islamic State.
?If found guilty, Booker faces sentencing up to life in prison.?
The moral is be vigilant – wherever you are.
Check out the capture of the suicide bomber:
