A Florida man was arrested this week after allegedly planning a bombing attack on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with investigators saying the suspect expressed extremist views and even likened himself to infamous terrorist Osama Bin Laden. The arrest has raised concerns about security threats targeting high-profile financial institutions.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Ethan Williams, was apprehended by FBI agents after a lengthy investigation involving undercover operations. According to law enforcement sources, Williams had been in communication with an undercover agent, whom he believed to be a fellow conspirator, discussing his plans to carry out a bombing attack on the NYSE, located in the heart of New York City’s financial district.
Williams reportedly expressed a desire to create chaos and harm the country’s financial system, claiming that he wanted to make a statement similar to the September 11 attacks. “I feel like Bin Laden,” Williams allegedly told the undercover agent during their discussions. The suspect also made threatening remarks about disrupting the nation’s economy and sending a message of defiance against the United States.
Authorities say Williams had gathered bomb-making materials and conducted extensive research on the layout of the NYSE and its security measures. However, he had yet to make any overt moves to carry out the attack when he was arrested.
The plot was uncovered by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which had been monitoring Williams’ activities for several months. Officials say they had been alerted to his increasingly radicalized views through social media and online forums, where he had made disturbing posts about violence and government institutions. The arrest was made without incident, and no explosives were found in Williams’ possession.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jessica Garcia praised the task force’s collaborative efforts. “This arrest is a clear reminder of the ongoing threats to our national security,” she said in a statement. We are committed to protecting our financial institutions and ensuring that individuals who seek to harm innocent people are held accountable.”
Williams now faces federal charges, including attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and plotting an attack on a federal facility. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if anyone else was involved in the attack’s planning.