PEORIA, AZ — A 17-year-old male has been arrested on charges of terrorism over alleged plans to attack the Phoenix Pride Festival last weekend.
The FBI, Buckeye and Glendale police departments arrested 17-year-old Marvin Jalo of Peoria following an investigation.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced that on October 16, just a few days before the festival, Jalo was indicted by a grand jury after authorities learned he acquired materials to make an explosive device. He was taken into custody and arrested on October 18.
During an investigation, detectives found that between November 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, Jalo chatted online about terrorist organizations and supplies necessary to make an improvised explosive device and then had those supplies shipped to him.
He also talked about his intent to make TATP (triacetone triperoxide), an unstable explosive that could propel shrapnel and other dangerous items outward, causing serious injury or death to people in the area, MCAO announced.
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The Grand Jury indicted Jalo on class two dangerous felonies, including one count of terrorism and one count of conspiracy to commit terrorism. Officials say he will be tried as an adult.
County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, “It takes a tremendous amount of cooperative work by law enforcement to develop a lead, locate a suspect, interrupt an attack, and make an arrest before a tragedy could happen. I am deeply grateful and immensely proud of our MCAO investigators and our law enforcement partners for their integral involvement in this case.”
Governor Hobbs also shared a statement with ABC15:
"I’m shocked and horrified at the alleged plot to attack innocent Arizonans and members of the LGBTQ community who attended the Phoenix Pride festival, and I’m grateful for the swift actions taken by law enforcement to prevent a potential tragedy. Arizonans must come together to reject hate wherever we find it. I was proud to serve as Grand Marshall of the Phoenix Pride parade this year, and I’ll continue to stand with the LGBTQ community in the face of bigotry and violent extremism."
Jalo is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.
Phoenix Pride officials held a press conference Wednesday, following Jalo's arrest, watch in the player below:
