New York Man Planned New Year's Eve Machete Attack for ISIS

A man in Rochester, N.Y. who was inspired by ISIS has been arrested for plotting a New Year’s Eve machete attack on local diners.

Emanuel Lutchman, 25, whom NBC describes as “an ex-con Muslim convert with mental issues,” was arrested on Dec. 30 and charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS by attacking people at a local restaurant with a machete.

According to a criminal complaint from the Department of Justice, Lutchman had been in contact with someone overseas who identified as a member of ISIS in Syria. Lutchman said “I’m ready to lose my family” over showing allegiance to ISIS. The complaint says that Lutchman planned to abduct and kill victims from the restaurant.

“The FBI thwarted Emanuel Lutchman’s intent to kill civilians on New Year’s Eve,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Cohen of the FBI’s Buffalo division, NBC reports. “The FBI remains concerned about people overseas who use the Internet to inspire people in the United States to commit acts of violence where they live.”

Get The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.

Please enter a valid email address.

Sign Up Now

Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME.

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Thank you!

For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.

Write to Tessa Berenson at tessa.berenson@time.com.