A man was planning to detonate improvised explosive devices at a white nationalist rally at Bluff Park in Long Beach with the purpose to cause mass casualties, the FBI said on Monday.
An army veteran, Mark Stevens Domingo, who had combat experience in Afghanistan was arrested on Friday after he was set to deliver a explosive that he thought was real to an officer who was posing as the bomb maker.
According to U.S. Attorney for the central district of California Nicola Hanna, Domingo purchased several hundred 3 inch nails to attach to the IED because the nails would be long enough to penetrate the human body.
Domingo also made known to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, and wanted to retaliate after the mosque attacks in New Zealand.
“There must be retribution,” Domingo said in an online post, “America needs another vegas event.”
The rally in Bluff Park saw a sizable police presence to ensure the safety of those who attended the event.