Pittsburgh: A Syrian refugee who came to the US three years ago plotted to bomb a church this spring to inspire followers of the Islamic State group, federal authorities said on Wednesday.
A criminal complaint announcing the man's arrest alleges Mustafa Mousab Alowemer planned to bomb an unidentified church on Pittsburgh's north side and purchased materials he thought were necessary to build a bomb. He also allegedly provided plans and a map to an undercover FBI agent he thought was a fellow Islamic State group supporter.
The church's pastor Michael Day says he's grateful nothing happened and that members of his congregation are alive and able to go home to hug their loved ones.
Day said he is working with authorities.
The 21-year-old Alowemer, a Pittsburgh resident, is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive device or weapon of mass destruction.
Alowemer was born in Daraa, Syria and came to the U.S. as a refugee in 2016, according to the FBI.
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According to the criminal complaint, Alowemer met several times between April and June with the undercover FBI agent and an FBI source. During one of the meetings, Alowemer allegedly provided plot details, bomb materials he'd purchased and printed copies of Google satellite maps with markings showing the location of the church plus arrival and escape routes.
Alowemer planned to carry out the bombing next month by delivering the explosives in a backpack, according to the complaint.
