A 17-year-old teenager named Marvin Aneer Jalo has been indicted by a grand jury in Arizona for planning a terrorist attack on the Phoenix Pride parade earlier this month. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated that Jalo will be charged as an adult and has been arrested on charges of terrorism. The indictment alleges that Jalo provided advice, assistance, direction, or management of an act of terrorism to further the goals of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). Authorities say Jalo planned to carry out an attack using an improvised explosive device at the Phoenix Pride Festival and was discussing the supplies needed to make the explosive in online chat rooms.
Jalo is currently being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. The investigation revealed that Jalo had the supplies necessary to make an improvised explosive device shipped to him and shared videos of himself making the explosive. Additionally, he discussed his intent to use the explosive while referencing a desire to cause harm. Court documents revealed that Jalo was also arrested at his Buckeye home for an unrelated incident involving criminal damage and disorderly conduct related to domestic violence. His mother told police that she suspected him of collaborating with terrorists in online chat rooms and of conspiring to conduct a possible attack.
Jalo was allegedly in communication with extremists through chat rooms and actively recruiting him for terrorist activities. He admitted to police that he needed to gather more knowledge and better prepare himself before participating in a terrorist event. Prosecutors stated that Jalo intended to use a “bomb drone” to transport his explosives for the planned attack. The Phoenix Pride Festival is an annual event that commemorates the ‘Stonewall Riots’ and is seen as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement, according to organizers.
The investigation found that between November 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, Jalo participated in online chat rooms discussing the supplies necessary to make an improvised explosive device and had those supplies shipped to him. He then proceeded to make TATP, an unstable explosive that can cause serious injury or death. Jalo posted videos of himself making the TATP after receiving the ingredients for the explosives. Jalo also engaged in conversations on Telegram about making a remote-controlled bomb and attacking various targets, including in New York City.
The court documents revealed that Jalo’s mother had suspicions about his activities and informed the police about his interactions with other subjects described as terrorists. Jalo confirmed to police that he had been speaking with extremists who were recruiting him for terrorist activities. He expressed the need to acquire more knowledge and prepare himself before participating in any terrorist events. Prosecutors emphasized that Jalo had intended to use a “bomb drone” to transport the explosives for the planned attack.
