A Southern California man has been arrested for allegedly planning to detonate improvised explosive devices at several Southern California locations to cause “mass casualties” and avenge recent attacks against Muslims across the world.
Mark Steven Domingo, 26, an Army veteran, was arrested Friday night after he took delivery of what he thought was a live bomb from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a bomb-maker, officials said. He was charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists.According to a federal affidavit, “after considering various attacks — including targeting Jews, churches, and police officers — Domingo decided to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend. As part of the plot, Domingo asked his confederate — who actually was cooperating with the FBI as part of the investigation — to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED.“Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs,” the affidavit states.
Officials described Domingo as a radicalized Muslim.
According to a criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors, Domingo posted a video online in which he professed his Muslim faith on March 2, and the next day, he made another posting in which he said, “America needs another vegas event” – referring to the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas – that would give “them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.” Following an attack on two mosques that killed 50 worshipers in New Zealand on March 13, Domingo posted, “there must be retribution.”Domingo allegedly plotted to set off the IED at a rally at Long Beach’s Bluff Park in opposition of a suspected White nationalist group that was expected to have an event in the area on Sunday.
Federal prosecutors have charged Domingo with providing and trying to provide material support to terrorists. A goal appeared to be martyrdom.
In one conversation described in court documents, the undercover FBI agent warned Domingo that he would probably be caught by authorities if he went ahead with his plan.”Martyrdom, bro,” Domingo replied, according to prosecutors.
His plans related to the Santa Monica Pier, a popular tourist spot my family often enjoys, is particularly chilling.
The complaint states that Domingo expressed concerns that the radius from the explosion would extend beyond 100 feet. He then allegedly stated that if they conducted the attack at the Santa Monica Pier, he would remain on the pier and detonate the IED himself because he “was not afraid to die a martyr,” the complaint reads.According to federal authorities, Domingo showed the confidential FBI source a map of the Santa Monica Pier and even pointed out locations where they could stand near the entrance of the pier.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY