FBI foils New Year's Eve terror plot across southern California, officials say

December 15, 2025

Federal authorities in Los Angeles have arrested four individuals suspected of belonging to the Turtle Island Liberation Front, described as an extremist offshoot of a pro-Palestinian anti-government organization, for allegedly planning coordinated bombing attacks across southern California on New Year's Eve. Law enforcement apprehended the suspects on December 12th as they traveled to a desert location to test improvised explosive devices made from precursor chemicals they had brought with them. The alleged plot targeted at least five locations, including two logistics company facilities and potentially Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles in subsequent months.

Who is affected

Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41 (arrested suspects)
Two US logistics companies that were alleged targets
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their vehicles (potential targets)
Communities in southern California, particularly the Los Angeles area
The Turtle Island Liberation Front organization

What action is being taken

The FBI is conducting an ongoing investigation to identify other potential suspects
The four suspects are facing charges including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device in US District Court for the Central District of California

Why it matters

This case represents a significant domestic terrorism threat that could have resulted in mass casualties and property damage across multiple locations in one of America's largest metropolitan areas. The successful disruption demonstrates the importance of coordinated law enforcement surveillance and intervention capabilities in preventing violent extremist attacks. The incident also highlights the ongoing challenge of monitoring and preventing attacks from diverse ideological extremist groups operating within the United States.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC