An Arizona grand jury has indicted a 17-year-old teen for planning to carry out a bomb attack at the Phoenix Pride Festival.
Officials with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MACO) said they have arrested 17-year-old Marvin Aneer Jalo and charged him with one count of terrorism and a count of conspiracy to commit terrorism. Both are felony counts.
The teen will be tried as an adult. He is currently in jail on a $1 million cash-only bond, per a MACO press release.
17-Year-Old Plots Bombing at Pride Event
Authorities for MACO said investigators found that Jalo had been participating in online chat rooms between Nov. 1, 2023, and May 31, 2023, where he was discussing the supplies needed to make an improvised explosive device. In particular, the teen said he intended to make a triacetone triperoxide (TATP).
A TATP is an explosive device that is often unstable. It uses ingredients that propel shrapnel and other dangerous items outward when it explodes, which can cause significant or fatal injuries to victims within the area of the explosion.
Investigators said Jalo had posted several videos of himself making the explosive after receiving the supplies in November last year. He reportedly expressed interest in using the explosive at the Phoenix Pride Festival as well as in other targets, including in New York City, as reported by Fox10, which obtained court audio recordings.
How Was His Plans Exposed?
Jalo was arrested over an "unrelated incident" that involved "criminal damage and disorderly conduct." His mother told officers that she and the teen had an argument after she discovered him engaging with "terrorists" planning a possible attack in chat rooms online.
The teen later confirmed that he had been speaking with extremists and that they were attempting to recruit him. However, he argued that he needed to gather "more knowledge" before he could take part in a terrorist plot.
In the indictment, prosecutors said they believed Jalo was being motivated by the Islamic State (ISIS). He was operating with two other co-conspirators not identified in the document. It is unclear if officials are planning to arrest the other conspirators.
