Alexander Ciccolo, a Boston police captain's son, was arrested and charged as part of a terror plot foiled on July 4 by FBI agents, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court on Monday.
Ciccolo, 23, who also uses the name Abu Ali al-Amriki, was taken into custody on charges of felony possession of firearms when he bought two rifles and two pistols from an undercover FBI informant,
according to ABC News. After they searched his apartment, FBI agents discovered possible bomb-making equipment, as well as “jihad” paperwork and “attack planning papers.”
Ciccolo’s father, Capt. Robert Ciccolo, was one of the officers who responded to the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, noted ABC News. The FBI said the younger Ciccolo was “inspired” by that bombing and the use of pressure cooker bombs, as well.
In a statement released on the
Boston Police Department’s website, Capt. Ciccolo and his family said, “While we were saddened and disappointed to learn of our son’s intentions, we are grateful that authorities were able to prevent any loss of life or harm to others. At this time, we would ask that the public and the media recognize our grief and respect our desire for privacy.”
Ciccolo’s father had alerted counter-terrorism authorities after his son made some alarming comments about a year ago,
according to CNN. Court documents also revealed that Ciccolo has a long history of mental illness and has been obsessed with Islam for the past 18 months.
Alexander Ciccolo was arrested after he purchased the firearms from someone working undercover with the Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force. Recorded conversations between Ciccolo and the informant revealed more details concerning Ciccolo’s plans to commit an act of terrorism with homemade bombs.
Alexander Ciccolo allegedly planned to target a school cafeteria and a bar. Investigators also allegedly discovered parts of Molotov cocktails, machetes, and a long curved knife in Ciccolo’s apartment.
After his arrest, Ciccolo stabbed a nurse in the head with a pen during the routine medical screening, reported CNN.
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