terrorism

FBI: Man planned Christmas terror attack for SF's Pier 39

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Man accused in foiled SF terror plot was inspired by previous attacks

We're getting our first look at the man who allegedly planned a Christmas terror attack in San Francisco. The father of Modesto resident Everitt Aaron Jameson has confirmed that this is his son.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Officials have stopped a man who they say was plotting a terror attack in San Francisco over the holidays. The 26-year-old reportedly stated that "Christmas was the perfect day" for a terror attack in San Francisco and "did not need an escape plan because he was ready to die."

VIDEO: Father of foiled SF terror attack suspect: 'Unreal, I really couldn't believe it'

The father of a Modesto man accused of plotting a terror attack in San Francisco spoke with ABC30 after learning his son was involved.

The FBI arrested Everitt Aaron Jameson, who is a tow truck driver and lives in Modesto. According to a handwritten letter obtained by the FBI, Jameson also referred to himself as Abdallah adu Everitt ibn Gordon.

Jameson appeared in court Friday, but did not enter a plea.

The 26-year-old is charged with attempting to supply support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically the Islamic State. According to FBI documents, he posted and liked pro-ISIS and pro-terrorism content on Facebook.

The suspect reportedly picked the Pier 39 location because he "had been there before and knew it was a heavily crowded area." He added that it would be easy to "funnel" people into an area where he could inflict casualties.

The documents cite an FBI informant who said Jameson was inspired by the New York terror attack on Oct. 31, when a man drove into a crowd and killed eight people, and the deadly 2015 shooting in San Bernardino.

Officials say they executed a search warrant and seized numerous items from the home of the man accused of plotting a terror attack on San Francisco's Pier 39 for Christmas Day.

And according to the documents, the suspect was discharged from the Marine Corps. He had prior military experience with a "sharpshooter" rifle qualification and expertise with rifle marksmanship.

Officials say Jameson was talking to an undercover FBI agent. They add that he was arrested earlier this week and a search warrant was executed at his Modesto home. Several firearms were found, along with fireworks.

ABC7 News contacted officials at Pier 39 to ask for a response, they say they did not know about this plot.

COURT DOCUMENT: FBI criminal complaint for SF terror plot suspect

San Francisco police released a statement on Friday afternoon that reads: "The San Francisco Police Department was notified by the FBI about this investigation several days ago and we remain in contact with our local, state and federal partners as this case proceeds. The safety of all San Francisco residents and visitors is our top priority. As we have stated in previous weeks, during the holiday season the public will notice an increased law enforcement presence in shopping corridors and at our City's attractions. As always, "if you see something, say something." We encourage the community to contact officers or 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity."

Click here for full coverage on recent terror attacks.