FBI thwarts 'IS-inspired' lone wolf attack on US Capitol

An American national, who had earlier tweeted his support to ISIS, was arrested on charges of plotting to attack the US Capitol, the seat of the Congress, and kill government officials.

Christopher Lee Cornell, 20, from Ohio, charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to kill officers and employees of the US Government, was taken into custody on Wednesday by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, a media statement said.

The public was not in danger during this investigation, federal prosecutors said.

The FBI said it was initially tipped off to tweets from Cornell offering support for ISIS in the fall of 2014.

He later told an informant that he wanted to "wage jihad under our own orders."

He had established a Twitter account with a different name, using which he posted statements, videos and other content indicating support for ISIL.

Cornell also voiced his support for violent jihad, as well as for violent attacks committed by others in North America and elsewhere.

He had purchased semi-automatic rifles and 600 rounds of ammunition, ahead of a planned trip to Washington DC. Agents arrested him soon after that purchase.

Image: Christopher Cornell, 20, of Cincinnati, Ohio is pictured in this handout photo. Photograph: Reuters