FBI, DHS warn of lone wolf attacks on July 4 in NYC and San Francisco

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have said lone wolf attacks pose the biggest threats to July 4 celebrations this year in New York City and San Francisco.

Intelligence bulletins sent out ahead of the holiday warn of copycat attacks and homegrown extremists, according to ABC News.

“We are concerned about the potential threat of copycat attacks inspired by the 2025 New Year’s Day vehicle-ramming attack in New Orleans and continued messaging [from foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs)] calling for attacks against Western targets,” two such bulletins read.

Officials warn that attackers in New York City and San Francisco could be motivated by a broad-range of grievances, with particular concern over outrage tied to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“Of these actors, U.S.-based violent extremists supporting FTOs and [domestic violent extremists] not linked to FTOs represent two of the most persistent threats,” the bulletins say. “Lone offenders, in particular, remain a concern due to their ability to often avoid detection until operational and to inflict significant casualties.”

The agencies specifically cite worries of “malicious actors and violent extremists” entering July 4 event areas and First Amendment-protected demonstrations with “weapons, chemical irritants, bodily fluids or other hazardous materials.” Drones could also pose a threat, authorities say.

The warning comes weeks after an Egyptian man in Boulder, Colorado used Molotov cocktails to attack a march in support of Israeli hostages, leading to at least one death.

A lone shooter killed seven and wounded dozens of others during a 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, while the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans claimed the lives of 14 victims.