FBI Warns Local Police of Anarchist Attack on Halloween

CHARLOTTE, NC — Local police are taking extra precautions this Halloween to protect themselves.

The FBI sent an alert Monday saying an anarchist group is planning to trap and attack police officers.

Departments like Matthews, Gastonia and CMPD all say they’re vigilant of the threat.

“If they do it, they are going to cause innocent people to be hurt. Innocent lives may be lost,” said Det. Garry McFadden.

The FBI’s warning went out to departments around the country.

It says a group known as National Liberation Militia is calling on people to wear Halloween masks, cause a disturbance. When Officers show up, it tells people to attack them with bottles, bricks and guns.

“Problem is, everybody’s wearing a mask,” said Det. McFadden.

In a statement, the FBI will only confirm it “…routinely shares information about potential threats to better enable law enforcement to protect the communities they serve.”

“If the FBI has issued a bulletin, it needs to be taken very seriously,” said former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker.

He says if this group is in fact the National Liberation Militia, he remembers it for a violent protest targeting the World Trade Organization in 1999.

“They may have decided that this is what’s going to gather them the most extensive publicity,” said Swecker. “So they’re sort of pushing these buttons.”

In our region, he says anarchist or militia groups are rooted more toward the Asheville mountains.

Police departments tell me they are vigilant.

Some like Matthews are molding safety measures as much as possible.

McFadden says most will add extra patrols, as usual, during Halloween.

“It’s good to know this may exist, so it will give some awareness,” said Det. McFadden.