Suburban Chicago Teen Charged with Attempted Terrorism in Alleged Plot to Bomb Islamic Center
Authorities Describe Foiled Attack as Attempt to “Spread Fear, Divide Communities” in Glendale Heights
A 16-year-old boy from Lombard, Illinois, was charged in DuPage County court Friday with unlawful possession of a firearm and attempted terrorism after authorities accused him of plotting to detonate an explosive device at the Islamic Education Center in Glendale Heights. The alleged plot, uncovered by federal and local law enforcement, has sparked renewed discussions about community safety, rising Islamophobia, and the critical role of vigilance in protecting places of worship.
According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, the teenager—whose name has not been released due to his minor status—was taken into custody after a series of alarming actions and was ordered held until his next court appearance on August 4.
Inside the Alleged Plot
Prosecutors allege that on July 4, the Lombard teen entered the Islamic Education Center, located on the 1200 block of Goodrich Avenue, and covertly recorded video of religious services. Law enforcement officials said the footage was intended to “assist in preparation for detonating an explosive device at that location.”
Further investigation revealed that the suspect was later found in possession of a firearm “of a size that could be concealed upon his person,” according to prosecutors. On July 12, authorities say, the teen was discovered with the weapon—the latest piece of evidence in a case that allegedly involved careful planning and intent to terrorize a religious community.
"An attempted act of terrorism, as alleged in this case, achieves the same goals of spreading fear, dividing our communities and undermining the rule of law, as does an act of terrorism," stated DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a press release.
Berlin’s comments reflect the gravity with which officials are treating the case: not simply as a criminal incident, but as an existential threat to communal harmony and the security of religious minorities.
A Community in Shock
News of the arrest spread quickly among worshippers and local residents, casting a pall over Friday evening’s prayer service at the Islamic Education Center. Many in attendance expressed deep concern over both the nature of the alleged plot and the broader climate of fear that has gripped faith communities nationwide.
"People come here to just get really peaceful, and I really seriously think that this is not fair," said center attendee Arshad Javid in an interview with ABC7 Chicago. “This is really shocking news. I can't believe that this could've happened to us. This shouldn't have happened to no one.”
During the service that the suspect allegedly surveilled, many gathered to both practice their faith and confront a new reality—one where their sanctuary had become the target of a plotted attack.CAIR’s Response
The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the teenager's alleged actions and used the moment to call attention to what it described as a concerning rise in anti-Muslim sentiment. Ahmed Rehab, executive director of CAIR-Chicago, spoke out against the “danger of having this hate rhetoric, this anti-Muslim rhetoric, be so accepted out there, is that it only takes one person.”
"That is the danger of having this hate rhetoric, this anti-Muslim rhetoric, be so accepted out there, is that it only takes one person," Rehab told ABC7, highlighting fears that mainstreamed prejudice fuels real-world threats to vulnerable communities.
National data bear out CAIR’s concerns. The FBI has reported consistent rises in hate crimes targeting mosques and Islamic centers over the past decade, and several recent incidents nationwide have drawn renewed scrutiny to security around houses of worship.
Law Enforcement Emphasizes Prevention and Community Ties
Officials have underscored that the plot was discovered and neutralized before any harm could be done. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office credited coordination between federal, state, and local authorities as key to preventing another deadly attack at a religious institution—a familiar anxiety in an era marked by assaults on synagogues, churches, and mosques across the United States.
The charges—unlawful possession of a firearm and attempted terrorism—carry severe penalties in Illinois. Under state statutes, any act “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population” or to “affect the conduct of government” by intimidation or coercion qualifies as terrorism, even if it does not lead to completed violence.
A judge has ordered the teen suspect to be held in custody and set his next court appearance for August 4, underscoring the seriousness of the matter and the close judicial scrutiny it will receive.
A History of Attacks and Heightened Security at Mosques Nationally
The Glendale Heights plot is the latest in a troubling string of planned and executed attacks targeting mosques in the United States. Since 2016, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has documented a substantial increase in threats against Muslim places of worship, including vandalism, arson, and armed assaults.
Recent years have also seen changes in mosque security practices, with worship centers adding surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and organizing training exercises with local police. Many leaders have reportedly felt compelled to strike a balance between openness and vigilance, emphasizing community engagement while remaining alert to changing security concerns.
Wider Implications
For local Muslims in Glendale Heights and beyond, the discovery of the plot is both a relief and a cause for ongoing anxiety. The rapid public response, including prayer vigils and solidarity statements from faith and civic leaders, reflects a community that is at once resilient and profoundly aware of its vulnerabilities.
“Worshippers prayed in the wake of fear and frustration,” ABC7 Chicago reported. For some, the incident offered a renewed sense of urgency to address hate—not just through physical protection, but through the fostering of greater understanding and respect between communities.
Legal Proceedings and Community Mobilization
As the legal process progresses, attention is focused on both addressing the individual case and examining its broader social context. The DuPage County State's Attorney’s Office, along with federal partners, pledged to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law while safeguarding the rights of all involved, including the accused.
The Islamic Education Center, meanwhile, plans to bolster security while maintaining its open-door policy. CAIR-Chicago and other advocacy organizations have called for further dialogue and educational efforts to combat Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence in the region.
Navigating Fear and Resilience
The foiled plot against the Glendale Heights Islamic Education Center serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by religious minorities in the current American climate, but also of the resilience shared by those who refuse to be intimidated out of their neighborhoods and houses of worship. As the case advances through the courts and communities continue to heal, leaders urge both vigilance and hope: redoubling efforts to create a safer, more inclusive public square.