A Florida man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly planning to bomb the New York Stock Exchange, telling an undercover FBI agent, “I feel like Bin Laden.”
Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, of Coral Springs, faces charges of attempting to use an explosive device to destroy a building involved in interstate commerce, reported USA Today.
According to a federal complaint, Yener intended to detonate the bomb outside the iconic Wall Street site, claiming it would create destruction akin to “a small nuke.” He reportedly expressed anti-government views and a desire to “reset” the U.S. government.
The FBI began investigating Yener earlier this year after finding bombmaking materials in a storage unit. Court documents reveal sketches, circuit boards, and Google searches about explosives dating back to 2017.
Yener allegedly outlined plans for remote detonation, preferring a two-way radio to trigger the device, and described the Stock Exchange as a target to “wake people up.” He also discussed follow-up attacks in conversations with undercover agents.
The suspect, described as homeless, appeared in federal court Wednesday and was assigned a public defender. He remains in custody and is due back in court on December 4.
This arrest highlights ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism and lone-wolf plots. Federal agents continue their investigation into Yener’s motives and potential connections.
This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.