A U.S. Army veteran, Mark Steven Domingo, has been arrested for an attempted domestic terrorist attack in “multiple” Los Angeles locations in “retribution” for the mosque mass shooting in New Zealand last month, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
The 26-year-old took delivery of what he thought was a live bomb from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a bomb-maker, officials said. He was charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Domingo bought parts for an improvised explosive device that would be remotely triggered, but in fact contained inert materials, FBI agent Tasha Coolidge said in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
If they survived the planned bombing at Bluff Park, Domingo discussed launching further attacks on the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles or on a train.
“There were mosque shootings in New Zealand,” Domingo posted to a private online chat on March 14, according to federal prosecutors. “There must be retribution.”
He added: “I feel like I should make a christians life miserable tomorrow for our fallen bros n sis in [N]ew Zealand…maybe a jews life…they shed our blood…no Muslim should have to experience this, a message needs to be sent.”
Domingo also talked about using guns to conduct an attack, but the confidential informant suggested he knew someone who could make IEDs. “That is even better,” Domingo said, according to court records.
“This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties,” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said on Monday in news conference announcing the “chilling terrorism plot.”
Domingo, who has been in federal custody since his arrest, is expected to appear in court Monday afternoon.
