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US Army veteran 'planned to bomb Nazi rally' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A US Army veteran has been arrested as he was in the final stages of a plan to bomb a white supremacist rally in California, say authorities. | |
Muslim convert Mark Domingo, 26, also allegedly plotted terror attacks on Jews, churches and police in revenge for the New Zealand mosque shootings. | |
He was held on Friday after accepting what he believed to be a live bomb, delivered by undercover officers. | |
Mr Domingo had expressed support for violent jihad, say prosecutors. | Mr Domingo had expressed support for violent jihad, say prosecutors. |
According to court documents, the former infantryman with combat experience in Afghanistan took steps to build and detonate a weapon of mass destruction. | |
"This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties," said federal prosecutor Nick Hanna in a statement on Monday. | "This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties," said federal prosecutor Nick Hanna in a statement on Monday. |
In online posts and in conversations with an FBI source - posing as an accomplice - Mr Domingo expressed a desire to seek retribution for the March attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, and other attacks against Muslims. | |
He allegedly expressed a willingness to become a "martyr" in an attack. | |
According to authorities, Mr Domingo considered targets including Jewish people, churches and police officers, before settling on the Long Beach rally. | |
A far-right group had planned to march on Sunday at Bluff Park in Long Beach, though they did not show up. Anti-racism counter-demonstrators did, however, attend. | |
The idea to target the Long Beach event was allegedly discussed during a meeting on 19 April between Mr Domingo and the FBI agent. | The idea to target the Long Beach event was allegedly discussed during a meeting on 19 April between Mr Domingo and the FBI agent. |
Mr Domingo arrived at the meeting with an AK-47-style rifle to show he was "serious" about his plans, said prosecutors. | Mr Domingo arrived at the meeting with an AK-47-style rifle to show he was "serious" about his plans, said prosecutors. |
He also allegedly mentioned the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and said he wanted a device that could cause 50 casualties. | |
Mr Domingo also allegedly contemplated bombing the Santa Monica Pier, where he said a summer attack on the crowded tourist spot would cause maximum casualties. | |
Prosecutors say he referred to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas - the deadliest such attack in modern US history, it left 58 dead - as a blueprint for his own assault. | |
He posted online that "America needs another Vegas event" in order to "give them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world", said prosecutors. | He posted online that "America needs another Vegas event" in order to "give them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world", said prosecutors. |
According to court documents, once Mr Domingo determined the location of his attack, he worked with the FBI source to find a bomb-maker. | According to court documents, once Mr Domingo determined the location of his attack, he worked with the FBI source to find a bomb-maker. |
The suspect planned to plant home-made explosive devices made with nail-filled pressure cookers that would be remotely triggered or detonated by a timer. | |
He allegedly purchased "several hundred nails" meant to be used as shrapnel inside the improvised explosive device. | |
"Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs," the affidavit says. | "Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs," the affidavit says. |
In discussions with the FBI agent, Mr Domingo allegedly claimed that if the Islamic State were to come to the US "he would swear allegiance" to the group. | In discussions with the FBI agent, Mr Domingo allegedly claimed that if the Islamic State were to come to the US "he would swear allegiance" to the group. |
On Thursday, after purchasing the nails, Mr Domingo allegedly sent a message to the undercover agent indicating that the bombing was to proceed. | On Thursday, after purchasing the nails, Mr Domingo allegedly sent a message to the undercover agent indicating that the bombing was to proceed. |
The FBI operative then delivered several "inert devices", which Mr Domingo purportedly believed to be weapons of mass destruction. | The FBI operative then delivered several "inert devices", which Mr Domingo purportedly believed to be weapons of mass destruction. |
Authorities said that Mr Domingo had travelled to Long Beach to inspect the site of the bombing when he was taken into custody. | Authorities said that Mr Domingo had travelled to Long Beach to inspect the site of the bombing when he was taken into custody. |
In a joint statement, federal authorities celebrated the thwarting of the alleged attack and said there was no outstanding threat to the public. | |
If convicted, Mr Domingo could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. | If convicted, Mr Domingo could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. |