A man from Tennessee with connections to white nationalist groups was arrested by federal prosecutors for attempting to use a drone filled with explosives to destroy a power station in Nashville, as per the Justice Department report on Monday. Skyler Philippi, 24, faces charges of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility. He allegedly shared plans with undercover FBI sources to blow up energy stations, orchestrate a mass shooting, and derail a train in Tennessee. Philippi expressed affiliations with white supremacist groups and believed in a 9/11 conspiracy theory.
In September 2024, Philippi discussed his intention to attach explosives to a drone and target an electric substation in Nashville. He also expressed interest in attacking substations in Louisville. Philippi conducted a test flight of the drone on the day of the planned attack. He sought explosive materials, including pipe bombs, and discussed evading detection with the FBI sources. On November 2, as Philippi prepared to carry out the attack, he was arrested by law enforcement agents while assembling the drone with what he believed to be an armed explosive device.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the seriousness of Philippi’s attempt to carry out an attack in the name of white supremacist ideology. Philippi faces charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility, with a potential life sentence if convicted. The U.S. power grid, consisting of numerous power plants and transmission lines, has been targeted in recent years, with a 71% increase in attacks in 2022 compared to the previous year. The Department of Homeland Security has expressed concerns about power grid attacks linked to white nationalist narratives and domestic violent extremists seeking societal collapse.
As the case unfolds, Philippi is set to appear in court on November 13, represented by a federal public defender. The Justice Department’s swift intervention in thwarting the attack serves as a warning to individuals planning acts of violence against critical infrastructure. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and undercover sources prevented a potential disaster in Nashville, underscoring the importance of vigilance in safeguarding public safety and national security.
