In brief
The FBI has arrested four suspected members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front for allegedly planning a terrorist attack involving bombs at logistic centers in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve. The suspects were apprehended while testing explosive devices in the desert, and investigations are ongoing to identify additional accomplices. U.S. officials commend the collaborative efforts that led to the disruption of a potential disaster.
A suspected New Year's Eve terror plot by an extremist group has been foiled by federal authorities in Los Angeles, officials say.
Four alleged members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front - an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian anti-government group - have been arrested on suspicion of planning a coordinated bombing attack in at least five locations across southern California, the FBI and LA law enforcement said on Monday.
The suspects were apprehended last week while traveling to the desert east of Los Angeles to test improvised explosive devices, officials said.
The FBI believes it has 'disrupted the plot', but an investigation to identify other potential suspects is ongoing.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on X that the agencies prevented 'far-left' extremists from executing 'a massive and horrific terror plot'.
Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41, face charges including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
The group traveled to the desert with 'precursor chemicals' on 12 December and allegedly planned to create bombs with their materials, officials said during a media conference.
A surveillance plane captured footage of their movements, leading to the arrest by the Los Angeles FBI SWAT team without incident.
The bombing plot involved planting explosive devices targeting two US companies at logistic centers at midnight on New Year's Eve in the Los Angeles area.
The group also reportedly discussed attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in the following months. Carroll allegedly remarked that such an attack would 'take some of them out and scare the rest of them.'
'The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response,' said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, underlining the collaboration that prevented potential tragedy and reaffirmed their commitment to community safety.
