A man in Columbia, Tennessee, allegedly tried to fly a drone filled with explosives into an energy facility before the FBI stopped him from destroying critical infrastructure, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Skylar Philippi, 24, was arrested and charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility, the Department of Justice announced in a press release.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said, “As per the indictment, Skyler Philippi believed he was about to launch an attack on a Nashville energy facility to promote a violent white supremacist ideology.'' “But the FBI had already compromised his plot.” “This incident serves as a further warning to those who seek to attack our nation's critical infrastructure and sow violence and chaos in the name of hate. The Department of Justice will find you and thwart your plot. , we will hold you accountable.”
The Justice Department said Philippi told a confidential source in June that he wanted to carry out a mass shooting at a YMCA in the District of Columbia, Tennessee.
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Skylar Philippi posed for a photo with undercover FBI agents while holding a pipe bomb. (Ministry of Justice)
Nearly a month later, he allegedly told another CHS that an attack on a large interstate substation would “shock the system” and cause other substations to malfunction. are.
The Justice Department said Philippi investigated previous attacks on electrical substations and ultimately concluded that the use of firearms alone was not enough. Instead, they planned to use a drone rigged with explosives and fly it into the substation.
In September, Philippi allegedly went to an electrical substation with an undercover FBI agent who had previously been investigating and conducting reconnaissance.
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Skylar Philippi met with undercover FBI agents on a vacant lot near Franklin, Tennessee, to test-fly a drone. (Ministry of Justice)
Along the way, Philippi allegedly ordered C-4 and other explosives from undercover personnel and then purchased black powder to put into pipe bombs. The Justice Department said Philippi intended to use a pipe bomb during the attack on the electrical substation.
He also allegedly sent a text message to a confidential source saying, “If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major city.” “Oh my god, this is going to explode like fireworks on Independence Day,” Philippi said of the substation.
Philippi allegedly discussed the need for disguises, leather gloves, wearing shoes that were too large, and the need to burn clothing after attacking the substation. He also reportedly instructed the crew not to bring smartphones with them on the night of the attack.
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According to the Department of Justice, on November 2, 2024, Philippi participated in a Nordic ritual and recited a Nordic prayer.
“A new era begins here,” Philippi told the undercover agents, adding that it was time to do something big that would “make history.”
Mr. Philippi and his undercover agents drove to the scene and, upon arrival, moved to their assigned lookout positions before law enforcement officers made the arrests.
The Justice Department said Philippi was in the back of the vehicle when he was arrested, where the drone was turned on. The Justice Department added that there was an armed explosive device next to the drone.
“Motivated by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the defendants attacked the power grid with drones and explosives, killing thousands of Americans, hospitals and other victims,” said Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “We have planned to shut down critical infrastructure,” he said. “Thanks to the swift work of the FBI, we were able to discover and thwart the defendant's plot before he could cause any harm. We are committed to holding accountable those who seek to harm American society through their principles.”
Mr. Philippi was charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
