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Man Arrested After Plotting Domestic Terrorism Act At Greenwood Mall

Last updated on Wednesday, August 31, 2016

(GREENWOOD) - Police arrested an Indianapolis man who they believe was going to carry out an act of domestic terrorism at Greenwood Mall.

Officials are unclear what 31-year-old Christopher Byrne may have been targeting.

According to police, Byrne was stopped on US 31 after he was seen driving suspiciously in the parking lot of the Greenwood Park Mall August 15.

Police were on patrol in the area due to a number of car break-ins in the lot and stopped Byrne for driving without a seat belt.

Greenwood Police officer asked Byrne for identification during the traffic stop, that is when he claimed to be a "sovereign national" and refused to provide identification.

Byrne was arrested for operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic offender"and possessing a firearm without a permit as a felon, though has not been charged as he may face additional federal charges that could include terrorism offences. He is being held on a $1 million bond

While searching Byrne's vehicle, officers found a Ruger 10-22 rifle, 100 rounds of ammo, a scope, a homemade silencer as well as ammonia and bleach, which can be used to make explosives,

In August 2015, Byrne was convicted of theft in Marion County August 2015. During that arrest, officers found an AR-15 rifle that was stolen from a Greenwood Police vehicle in October 2014. The officer's patrol car was then set on fire.

Byrne pleaded guilty August 22 to charges of carrying a handgun without a license with a felony conviction and a felony charge of being a habitual traffic offender in Johnson County. He is facing six years in prison on those charges and will be sentenced in November.

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