Man is accused of trying to use a drone with explosives to destroy an energy facility in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A Tennessee man is facing federal charges after he allegedly attempted to use a weapon of mass destruction to destroy an energy facility in Nashville, according to the Department of Justice.

Skyler Philippi, 24, reportedly told a confidential human source about his desire to carry out a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in Colombia in June 2024. The DOJ says he also told another confidential human source about the impact of the attack on large interstate substations, saying that an attack on multiple substations would “shock the system” and cause malfunctions at other substations.

Philippi reportedly researched previous attacks on substations and concluded that firing 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 about to launch an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his conspiracy,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

“As alleged in today’s indictments, Skyler Philippi, a man committed to white supremacist ideology and the destruction of our critical infrastructure, planned to attack Nashville’s power grid with a drone carrying an explosive device. Thanks to the courageous work of the FBI, his plan was foiled,” said Assistant Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

In September 2024, Philippi drove with undercover FBI employees to a substation he had previously researched and targeted, and Philippi conducted a reconnaissance of the substation. The DOJ alleges that during the trip he ordered a plastic explosive compound called C-4 and other explosives from the undercover agents.

He later allegedly purchased black powder for pipe bombs, which Philippi planned to use during the attack. The DOJ said it contacted another confidential human source: “If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax and high political areas in every major metropolitan area.”

Referring to the substation, the DOJ alleges that Philippi said, “Holy crap. This is going to explode like ******* fireworks on the Fourth of July.”

Philippi also reportedly discussed operational security, including the need to mask up, wear leather gloves, wear shoes that are too big, burn clothing after the attack, and not bring smartphones on the night of the attack.

Then, on November 2, 2024, he took part in a Norse ritual where he recited a Norse prayer and talked about the Norse god Odin. Philippi allegedly told the undercover operatives that “the New Age begins here” and that it was “time to do something big” that would “go down in the annals of history.”

The DOJ said he and the undercover agents then drove to the scene. The undercover investigators went to their assigned positions to look for Philippi. He was then taken into custody by police officers.

When he was arrested, the Justice Department said he was at the back of a vehicle with the drone turned on and the explosive device was live and located next to the drone. Philippi is accused of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. 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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