The son of a Boston police captain has been arrested for planning to carry out a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State militant group, which included setting off pressure-cooker bombs at an unknown university, according to the Associated Press.
Alexander Ciccolo's father, Robert Ciccolo, informed authorities last year that his son had a long history of mental illness and had made alarming comments about joining the ISIS, said two law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to release information.
"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," the family said, according to CNN.
Twenty-three-year-old Ciccolo, who also goes by the name Ali Al Amriki, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Massachusetts.
