‘You Hear It From California or Paris, but Then It’s Right Up the Street’: Pennsylvania Neighborhood Stunned by Terrorism Arrest

A Pennsylvania teenager on the FBI radar list for his affiliation with the Islamic State was arrested yesterday in Harrisburg, CBS Philly reports.

Nineteen-year-old Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, a U.S. citizen, stands accused of voicing support for ISIS on social media and disseminating terrorist propaganda, among other charges.

In the CBS local video, one of Aziz’s neighbors remarks, “It’s pretty crazy, you know, when it’s right here at home. It’s a different story. You hear it in California and Paris, but when it’s right up the street from your house…it becomes more realistic for you.”

The United States Department Of Justice (DOJ) released a criminal complaint against Aziz yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. 

The complaint reveals that Aziz used at least 57 different Twitter accounts invoking violence against the U.S. and U.S. citizens.

One of Aziz’s tweets specifically addressed Pennsylvania’s lax gun laws. It read: “Pennsylvania have very light gun laws its very easy to arm yourself.”

Aziz also allegedly posted a hyperlink with the names, addresses and other personal information of 100 U.S. military members and calls for violence against them.

According to the DOJ, on at least three separate occasions, Aziz allegedly used his Twitter accounts and other means of technological communication to help individuals travel to combat zones and fight for ISIS.

CBS reports:

“According to the allegations in the complaint, Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz conspired to provide and attempted to provide material support to ISIL by propagating their hateful rhetoric on social media and aiding individuals in their pursuit of traveling overseas to join the designated foreign terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “A prior physical search of Aziz’s residence also revealed a tactical-style backpack in his closet, which contained high-capacity weapons magazines, ammunition, a knife and other survival items. The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to hold accountable any and all those who seek to provide material support to terrorists, and to disrupt potential attacks in the United States before they happen.”

The case is still under investigation by FBI’s Philadelphia Joint Terrorism Task Forces.

If convicted, Aziz’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors such as any prior criminal offenses.

After Aziz’s arrest, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf released a statement that said, in part:

“I commend the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police, along with local law enforcement and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, for their efforts in apprehending this individual for his alleged efforts to aid ISIL. We understand that this individual is a U.S. citizen and his arrest is a reminder that we must remain vigilant, strong and focused on anyone here in the state who may seek to harm Pennsylvanians.”

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H/T CBS Philly