Top Stories

New details of Syrian refugee's plans for Pittsburgh terror attack released

PITTSBURGH — Handcuffed, shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit, the man accused of planning a terror attack at a Pittsburgh church made his first appearance in federal court Friday morning.

Mustafa Alowemer, 21, a Syrian refugee who just graduated from Brashear High School earlier this month, is charged in connection with alleged plans to carry out the attack in the name of ISIS, according to federal investigators. All charges were held for court Friday.

Reading this in the WPXI News App? Click the + next to the headline to subscribe to alerts for the latest details on the investigation into Mustafa Alowemer.

Alowemer allegedly purchased items to make bombs, which he said he planned to deliver to the Legacy International Worship Center in the Perry South neighborhood in July, authorities said.

PHOTOS: Court sketches of preliminary hearing for Pittsburgh terror plot suspect

In court Friday, it was revealed Alowemer intended to place one device at the side of the church that would be detonated 10 minutes after he drove away. A second device was planned to go off several hours later to injure first responders, officials said.

>>READ MORE: What we know about Syrian refugee accused of planning terror attack on Pittsburgh church

Alowemer identified Legacy International Worship Center as Christian and Nigerian, and said he targeted it to “take revenge for our [ISIS] brothers in Nigeria,” according to investigators.

An FBI agent testified Alowemer initially wanted to blow up a mosque, but he decided against it because of too much surveillance and police activity.

On Wednesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided Alowemer’s home at a Northview Heights housing complex.

You can now customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts to Allegheny County news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Alowemer’s defense attorney claimed Friday his client was not capable of making a bomb, saying he was just bragging.

A judge ordered Alowemer to remain behind bars without bail.

TRENDING NOW: