NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A Tennessee man is facing federal charges after he allegedly tried to use a weapon of mass destruction in an attempt to destroy a Nashville energy facility, according to the Department of Justice.
Skyler Philippi, 24, allegedly told a confidential human source about his desire to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in Columbia in June 2024. The DOJ explains that he also told another confidential human source about the impact of attacking large interstate substations and said that attacking several substations would “shock the system,” causing other substations to malfunction.
Philippi allegedly researched previous attacks on electric substations and concluded that shooting at them wouldn’t suffice. The DOJ added that he planned to use a drone with explosives attached to it and fly the drone into the substation, WSMV reports.
“As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“As alleged in today’s charges, Skyler Philippi, a man dedicated to white supremacist ideology and the destruction of our critical infrastructure, planned to attack Nashville’s power grid using a drone carrying an explosive device. Thanks to brave work by the FBI, his scheme was thwarted,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
In September 2024, Philippi drove with undercover employees of the FBI to an electric substation previously researched and targeted by him and Philippi conducted reconnaissance of the substation. The DOJ alleges that while driving, he ordered a plastic explosive composition known as C-4 and other explosives from the undercover employees.
He later allegedly purchased black powder to be used in pipe bombs, which Philippi intended to use during the attack. The DOJ said he contacted another confidential human source, “If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.”
Referring to the substation, the DOJ alleges that Philippi said, “Holy ****. This will go up like a ****** fourth of July firework.”
Philippi also allegedly discussed operational security, including the need for disguises, the use of leather gloves, wearing shoes that are too big, the need to burn their clothes after the attack and not bringing smartphones on the night of the attack.
Then, on Nov. 2, 2024, he participated in a Nordic ritual, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin. Philippi allegedly told the undercover employees that “this is where the New Age begins” and that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”
The DOJ explained he and the undercover employees then drove to the operation site. The undercovers moved to their assigned positions as lookouts for Philippi. That’s when he was taken into custody by law enforcement officers.
As he was arrested, the DOJ alleged he was at the rear of a vehicle with the drone powered up and the explosive device was armed and located next to the drone. Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The full criminal complaint against Philippi can be found below:
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