A Lombard teen faces terrorism and weapons charges for allegedly planning a terror attack at the Islamic Education Center in Glendale Heights, authorities announced Friday.
Prosecutors charged the unnamed 16-year-old with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of attempted terrorism, according to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.
Before a DuPage County judge on Friday, the teen was ordered detained until at least his next court appearance on Aug. 4, officials said.
In their criminal complaint, prosecutors claim that the teen recorded religious services at the center on July 4 to “assist in preparation for detonating an explosive device at that location,” according to the news release. He also “possessed a handgun which was of a size that could be concealed upon his person,” the release continued.
“An attempted act of terrorism, as alleged in this case, achieves the same goals of spreading fear, dividing our communities and undermining the rule of law, as does an act of terrorism,” Berlin said in the news release. “The allegations against this juvenile are extremely serious and will not be tolerated in DuPage County.”
Representatives of the Islamic Education Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment.