A tip sent to law enforcement uncovered an alleged plan by a North Carolina teenager to carry out a mass-casualty attack at a synagogue in Houston, according to the FBI’s Charlotte field office.
Angelina Hicks, 18, of Lexington, was arrested in Davidson County on April 22 and faces felony conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury and conspiracy to commit murder.
Agents received information on Tuesday that Hicks “was believed to be targeting members of the Jewish Community for a potential act of violence,” according to a Davidson County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Evidence recovered from her Lexington home pointed to a plan that involved Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, the FBI said. Details of what was found was not revealed.
The attack was allegedly planned for April 21, 2028, according to a court order obtained by The Houston Chronicle that stated, “The conspiracy is to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation at a synagogue.”
An unnamed 16-year-old in Harris County, Texas, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder, according to the Houston Police Department.
Investigators say Hicks allegedly conspired with two individuals referred to as “Teegan” and “Angel,” whose last names are currently unknown, to commit murder against members of the synagogue, according to warrants obtained by FOX 8 News.
But the alleged plan was foiled when authorities received the tip earlier this week.
“This is an exceptional example of when you see something concerning, you say something to law enforcement,” the FBI said, noting the importance of public reporting.
Hicks’ parents dispute the allegations, saying their daughter lacked both the means and intent to carry out such an attack. They described her online activity as role-play and fantasy – not a plan for murder.
“It’s ludicrous. It’s a fantasy game,” her father, Dannie Hicks, said in an interview with WFMY. “And that’s the way she looked at it as a fantasy game online.”
“It wasn’t no doggone terror attacks,” Dannie Hicks continued. “How in the world would you pull something like that off? She don’t drive. She ain’t got a car. She don’t have guns. She don’t know how to use a gun. She never shot a gun. How’s she gonna get to Texas? It’s nuts what they’ve done to her.”
Hicks’ parents described the teen as a well-liked student who was weeks away from graduating from Valley Regional Academy while enrolled in a dual-enrollment community college program.
“She was supposed to graduate in two weeks,” her father said.
Hicks is being held on a $10 million bond. She is set to appear in Davidson County District Court on May 13.
