Boston police captain’s son charged for plotting terror attack

Authorities say Alexander Ciccolo plotted a terrorist act aimed at supporting the Islamic State

The son of a Boston police captain was arrested after being accused of plotting to detonate pressure-cooker bombs at an unidentified university and extremist acts aimed at supporting the Islamic State group, authorities said.

Law enforcement agencies told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity that Alexander Ciccolo's father alerted authorities last fall that his son had a long history of mental illness and was talking about joining the Islamic State group.

His father, Robert Ciccolo, is a 27-year veteran of the Boston police force.

According to a Justice Department press release, Ciccolo had talked about setting off an explosive device “in places where large numbers of people congregate, such as college cafeterias.”

The 23-year-old, who also went by the name of Ali Al Amriki was seen buying a pressure cooker which was similar to the one used by the Boston Marathon bombers.

Read: Boston bomber apologizes, sentenced to death

Ciccolo was charged in a criminal complaint with illegal possession of a firearm for receiving four guns on July 4.

"While we were saddened and disappointed to learn of our son's intentions, we are grateful that authorities were able to prevent any loss of life or harm to others. At this time, we would ask that the public and the media recognise our grief and respect our desire for privacy," the statement read.

Read: Afghanistan violence: 25 injured in mosque bombing

The Department of Justice further disclosed that Ciccolo had initially been planning to attack military and law enforcement personnel. However, later on he changed his mind and intended to attack an unidentified university in another state no later than July 31. He was aware that he could be killed in the process.

"We win or we die," he has been quoted as saying in the detention memo.

After the 23-year-old was arrested, authorities allege that he stabbed a nurse in the head with a pen during medical examination. Ciccolo is detained in custody and his detention hearing is scheduled on Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Associated Press