Man charged with attempting to use explosive-laden drone to destroy energy supplies in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A Tennessee man is facing federal charges after allegedly attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in an attempt to destroy a power plant in Nashville, according to the Ministry 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, saying that attacking multiple substations would cause a “shock to the system,” causing other substations to malfunction .

Philippi is said to have investigated previous attacks on electrical substations and concluded that shooting at them would not be enough. The DOJ added that he planned to use a drone with explosives attached 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 power plant to further his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” said prosecutor -General Merrick B. Garland.

“As today’s indictment alleges, Skyler Philippi, a man committed to white supremacist ideology and the destruction of our critical infrastructure, planned to attack Nashville’s power grid using a drone armed with an explosive device. Thanks to the courageous work of the FBI, his plan was thwarted,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

In September 2024 Philippi drove undercover FBI employees to an electrical substation previously investigated and targeted by him, and Philippi conducted reconnaissance of the substation. The DOJ alleges that he ordered a plastic explosive compound known as C-4 and other explosives from the undercover employees while driving.

He later reportedly purchased black powder for use in pipe bombs, which Philippi intended to use during the attack. The DOJ said it had contacted another confidential human source: “If you want to do the most damage as an acceleration expert, attack the high economic, high tax and political zones in every major metropolis.”

Referring to the substation, the DOJ claims Philippi said, “Holy ****. This will go up like a ****** firework on the Fourth of July.”

Philippi is also said to have discussed operational security, including the need for disguises, the use of leather gloves, wearing oversized shoes, the need to burn their clothing after the attack and not taking smartphones with them on the night of the attack .

He then took part in a Nordic ritual on November 2, 2024, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin. Philippi allegedly told the undercover employees that “this is where the new era begins” and that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”

The DOJ explained that he and the undercover employees then drove to the operation site. The undercover officers moved to their assigned positions as lookouts for Philippi. He was then taken into custody by law enforcement officers.

When he was arrested, the DOJ claims he was in the back of a vehicle with the drone turned on and the explosive armed and next to the drone. Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy supply. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The full criminal complaint against Philippi can be found below:

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