What happened
A federal court in Idaho sentenced Alexander Mercurio, 21, to 18 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for plotting mass shootings at churches in Coeur d'Alene.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office and a criminal complaint, Mercurio pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to attack every church in the city. He intended to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe, handcuff him, and steal his firearms to carry out the assaults.
Mercurio was arrested on April 6, 2024, one day before he planned to begin the attacks. Investigators said he had outlined his plan in a recorded speech made in front of an ISIS flag while holding a knife.
A search of his home uncovered butane canisters, lighters, handcuffs, a knife, a machete, and several firearms belonging to his father. In messages to an undercover FBI informant, Mercurio said he intended to kill as many people as possible at more than 21 churches and burn the buildings down.
He also discussed creating a makeshift bomb vest and grenades from propane or butane canisters, planning to detonate the vest once police responded. Court documents show he shared a map of local churches with the informant and described targeting churches within walking distance.
The FBI began investigating Mercurio around 2021 after he expressed support for ISIS in online group chats soliciting Bitcoin donations. Undercover informants built trust with him over nearly two years before his arrest as the planned attack became imminent.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI said the case demonstrates the dangers of self-radicalization and that the agency will pursue anyone attempting to provide material support to terrorist organizations.