CLEVELAND — An American-born man accused of planning a terrorist-style attack in downtown Cleveland on the Fourth of July was charged Monday with trying to support terrorism.

The FBI said Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts — also known as Abdur Raheem Rafeeq — was arrested Sunday morning on accusations of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

"He talked about wanting to target people watching fireworks over downtown Cleveland," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.

Last week, Pitts, 48, of Maple Heights, Ohio, allegedly told an undercover agent, "I did tell myself that their holiday is coming up. The Fourth of July. Independence Day. What would hit them in the core? Blow up. Have a bomb. Blow up at the Fourth of July parade."

FBI Special Agent Stephen Anthony said it was unclear how close Pitts was to carrying out his threats but said authorities couldn’t sit back and wait to find out.
According to court documents, in a Jan. 25, 2017, Facebook post, Pitts commented on photos believed to be from an al-Qaida training camp.

"We as Muslim(s) need to start. Training like this every," the post said. "Look at the bed blue-eyed devils. They teach their little dogs on how to shoot and hunt. ... We should always be prepared to fight in the name of Allah Akbar. All cowards stay home."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...and/750294002/