‘Lone wolf’ terrorist threats made by 16-year-old, police say

A 16-year-old is alleged to have made Islamic State group-related terroristic threats targeting the Las Vegas Valley this week.

The teenager, not identified because of his juvenile status, was arrested Wednesday by the Metropolitan Police Department, according to a news release.

Deputy Chief Dori Koren said counterterrorism detectives in Las Vegas became aware of the online threats on Tuesday.

He said police received multiple reports of the threats being made on a social media messaging platform but did not go into more detail about how authorities discovered them.

“The threat involved the suspect that claimed he was commencing lone-wolf terroristic attacks here in Las Vegas in furtherance of support for the Islamic State terrorist organization also known as ISIS,” Koren said during a Friday news conference at Metro headquarters.

In a message shown at the news conference, the sender identified himself as “a supporter” of the Islamic State group and said he was seeking other supporters to help him in the attacks.

Koren said police found a handmade ISIS flag, a handmade ISIS headband, handmade ISIS patches, ISIS propaganda, antisemitic threats, bomb-making recipes and the ingredients to make an improvised explosive at the teen’s home when they arrested him without incident.

He did not specify any details about the alleged threats, such as targeted locations.

Koren said the suspect faces multiple charges in connection with the case, including five counts of possession of explosive components.

The teenager was living with his mother, stepfather and several siblings in Las Vegas, Koren said. He said they were residents of Las Vegas, but it was undetermined for how long.

Koren said police believe that the incident was isolated and there were no other known current threats in the valley.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Contact Mark Credico at mcredico@reviewjournal.com.