A teenager has been arrested for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired drone terror attack for Phoenix’s Pride events.
Marvin Aneer Jalo, 17, of Peoria — just outside Phoenix — was arrested Oct. 18 and charged with terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Jalo reportedly had an instructional video on his phone depicting an ISIS fighter using the explosive Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), and had communicated with extremists who recruited him in a chat room in 2023, according to Family AZ.
He allegedly posted that he could “bomb the 2024 Pride Parade and take over the US” and that he had supplies to have explosives shipped to him, the newspaper said.
Based on his messages, police believe the teenager planned to make a “bomb drone” using a remote-controlled vehicle.
Marvin Aneer Jalo, 17, of Peoria — just outside Phoenix — was arrested Oct. 18 and charged with terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism. Police suspect teen planned to make a ‘bomb drone’ using a remote-controlled vehicle
Jalo reportedly had a tutorial video on his phone depicting an ISIS fighter using the explosive Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and had said in a chat room that he could “bomb the 2024 Pride Parade and take over the US” (Photo: Phoenix Pride 2024 )
“He certainly took steps in the process of putting together something that would act as an explosive device,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell told AZ Family.
Mitchell said the boy had “very radical ideas” and that he was “homophobic.”
The indictment, viewed by AZ Family, stated that Jalo searched the Phoenix Pride parade event prior to last weekend’s festivities.
The case is being investigated by the Public Prosecution Service, the FBI and two police departments.
‘These are serious allegations. It does carry mandatory prison sentences,” Mitchell said.
The indictment stated that Jalo searched the Phoenix Pride parade event (pictured) prior to last weekend’s festivities. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the boy had “very radical ideas” and that he was “homophobic”
According to Mitchell, Jalo is currently being held on a $1 million bond.
Prosecutors said Jalo “intentionally or knowingly provided advice, assistance, direction or management of an act of terrorism to further the goals, desires, objectives, public statements, manifestos or political objectives of ISIS.”
The teen had participated in chat rooms between November 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024, discussing the “supplies needed to make an improvised explosive device.”
The Pride celebrations continued without incident and Governor Katie Hobbs and former UN Ambassador Susan Rice were in attendance, according to AZ Family.
Earlier this year, ahead of Pride Month in June, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warned that foreign terrorist organizations and their supporters could attack venues and events.
Major cities, such as New York City, are beefing up security during June’s events.
Phoneix’s Pride events are held in October (LGBT History Month) instead of June due to the city’s high summer temperatures.
