A 24-year-old man from Columbia, Tennessee, named Skyler Philippi, was arrested and charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility after allegedly trying to fly a drone filled with explosives into an energy facility. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced his arrest, revealing that Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology. However, the FBI was able to compromise his plot before he could carry out the attack. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a warning to those seeking to cause violence and chaos by attacking critical infrastructure, stating that the Justice Department will find them, disrupt their plans, and hold them accountable.
In June, Philippi reportedly told a confidential human source (CHS) that he wanted to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA in the Columbia, Tennessee area. A month later, he mentioned to another CHS his plan to target large interstate substations in order to “shock the system” and cause malfunctioning at other substations. After researching previous attacks on electric substations, Philippi decided to use a drone with explosives attached to carry out the attack. In September, he allegedly went to a substation with undercover FBI employees who had assisted him in ordering explosives, including C-4 and black powder for pipe bombs, that he planned to use during the attack.
According to the DOJ, Philippi discussed the need for disguises, leather gloves, and burning clothes after the attack to avoid detection. He also instructed his crew not to bring smartphones on the night of the attack. In November, he participated in a Nordic ritual and recited a Nordic prayer, stating that it was time to do something big that would be remembered in history. As he and the undercover employees drove to the site of the planned attack, they were arrested by law enforcement agents, preventing any damage from being caused.
FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that Philippi was driven by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology and had planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, which would have left thousands of Americans without power and critical infrastructure such as hospitals at risk. Thanks to the swift work of the FBI, the plot was detected and disrupted before any harm could be done. Philippi faces charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility, with a potential sentence of life in prison if convicted.
In conclusion, the thwarted plot by Skyler Philippi to attack a Nashville energy facility with explosives carried by a drone serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of violence and chaos caused by individuals seeking to harm critical infrastructure. The FBI’s quick action in uncovering and disrupting the plot highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting against domestic violent extremism. The arrest of Philippi underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to holding those who seek to cause harm to American communities through extremist ideologies accountable for their actions.
