NASHVILLE, TN - Skyler Philippi, 24, stands to face federal charges after he allegedly attempted to attack an electrical substation in Nashville using a drone laden with explosive charges. Philippi reportedly told a confidential human source that he was seeking to attack large interstate substations, taking down several to "shock the system." He also stated his desire to attack a Columbia, TN YMCA in a mass shooting.
According to a release from The Department of Justice, Philippi was under investigation by a confidential human source (CHS) since at least June 2024 when he described to them his desire to attack a nearby YMCA facility only to tell another CHS then that the impact of attacking a large interstate substation, or several of them would "shock the system," causing others in the grid to break down.
He reportedly researched past attacks and decided that an attack with firearms would be insufficient, and instead opted to use an explosive-armed drone.
The FBI reported that the suspect held white supremacist ideology as a motive citing his participation in "a Nordic ritual, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin," and his telling undercover FBI Agents that “this is where the New Age begins” adding that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement, “As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology -- but the FBI had already compromised his plot. This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country’s critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable. I am grateful to the public servants of the FBI for their extraordinary work on this case and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe.”
In September, Philippi drove with the agents to an electric substation he had previously researched and targeted. He conducted reconnaissance of the substation and then while driving ordered a C-4 plastic explosive and other explosives from the agents. Later he purchased black powder for use in constructing pipe bombs intended for use in the attack.
In a singularly incriminating text to the confidential human source, he allegedly wrote, "If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.” Describing the substation, he told them, “Holy sh**. This will go up like a fu**in fourth of July firework.”
Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office explained, “As alleged, the defendant in this case conducted extensive research into explosive devices and potential targets to launch an attack against critical infrastructure. The FBI is committed to doing everything in our ability to detect, disrupt, and deter attacks by domestic violent extremists, and will continue to pursue those who look to commit acts of violence in furtherance of their ideological beliefs."
“Driven by a racially motivated extremist ideology, the defendant allegedly planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power,” FBI Director Christopher Wray told reporters.
“The FBI’s swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendant’s plot before he could cause any damage. We are committed to hold accountable anyone who threatens or plans harm to critical infrastructure or seeks to hurt American communities through domestic violent extremism.”
The suspect has been charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility and could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
According to a release from The Department of Justice, Philippi was under investigation by a confidential human source (CHS) since at least June 2024 when he described to them his desire to attack a nearby YMCA facility only to tell another CHS then that the impact of attacking a large interstate substation, or several of them would "shock the system," causing others in the grid to break down.
He reportedly researched past attacks and decided that an attack with firearms would be insufficient, and instead opted to use an explosive-armed drone.
The FBI reported that the suspect held white supremacist ideology as a motive citing his participation in "a Nordic ritual, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin," and his telling undercover FBI Agents that “this is where the New Age begins” adding that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement, “As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology -- but the FBI had already compromised his plot. This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country’s critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable. I am grateful to the public servants of the FBI for their extraordinary work on this case and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe.”
In September, Philippi drove with the agents to an electric substation he had previously researched and targeted. He conducted reconnaissance of the substation and then while driving ordered a C-4 plastic explosive and other explosives from the agents. Later he purchased black powder for use in constructing pipe bombs intended for use in the attack.
In a singularly incriminating text to the confidential human source, he allegedly wrote, "If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.” Describing the substation, he told them, “Holy sh**. This will go up like a fu**in fourth of July firework.”
Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office explained, “As alleged, the defendant in this case conducted extensive research into explosive devices and potential targets to launch an attack against critical infrastructure. The FBI is committed to doing everything in our ability to detect, disrupt, and deter attacks by domestic violent extremists, and will continue to pursue those who look to commit acts of violence in furtherance of their ideological beliefs."
“Driven by a racially motivated extremist ideology, the defendant allegedly planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power,” FBI Director Christopher Wray told reporters.
“The FBI’s swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendant’s plot before he could cause any damage. We are committed to hold accountable anyone who threatens or plans harm to critical infrastructure or seeks to hurt American communities through domestic violent extremism.”
The suspect has been charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility and could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
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Comments
2024-11-06T19:18-0500 | Comment by: Steve
Fits the pattern of the feds setting up someone so they can take credit for "preventing a terrorist attack" when in fact they instigated it in the first place. And of course it just had to be a white supremacist, because they're just everywhere ya know.
2024-11-06T19:18-0500 | Comment by: Steve
Fits the pattern of the feds setting up someone so they can take credit for "preventing a terrorist attack" when in fact they instigated it in the first place. And of course it just had to be a white supremacist, because they're just everywhere ya know.
2024-11-06T20:57-0500 | Comment by: James
EVERY terror event that happens here, the F.B.I. has a hand in ..... WHEN are people going to figure out that THIS is what entities that have NO sanction to even exist here do .......
2024-11-07T15:38-0500 | Comment by: Harvey
You left out the part about the feebs planning the whole op, then theywent fishing for a mope to carry it out with fbi supplied equipment, and drones!
2024-11-08T15:26-0500 | Comment by: Rick
When I first glanced at the title of the article I thought it said "Man arrested after plotting with FBI" and I immediately wanted to see if anybody in the FBI had been charged. It does seem to be a common thread these days....