Authorities Foil Attempt to Blow Up Tennessee Energy Facility
Federal agents recently apprehended a 24-year-old man from Tennessee on charges related to a planned attack on an energy facility in Nashville using a weapon of mass destruction. The suspect, Skyler Philippi, was intercepted by FBI agents just as he was about to attach explosives to a drone intended for use in the attack. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a statement warning those seeking to cause harm to critical infrastructure that they will be found and held accountable.
According to a criminal complaint, Philippi expressed his intentions to commit acts of violence in his hometown and discussed attacking large interstate substations to disrupt the system. He researched past attacks on electric substations and decided that using firearms would not be effective, opting instead to use explosives attached to a drone.
Philippi was observed conducting surveillance of a target substation with FBI employees, discussing security measures and the execution of the attack. He also shared his extremist beliefs, highlighting his desire to target economically and politically significant areas in major cities.
During his arrest, Philippi was engaged in a ritual and expressed his intentions to make a lasting impact through his actions. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the racially motivated nature of the plot and praised the quick action of law enforcement in preventing any damage.
Philippi faces charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility, with a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. No attorney for Philippi was listed in the court system at the time of his arrest.
