Raleigh teen had guns, planned to shoot minority groups, FBI says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- FBI arrested a 19‑year‑old Raleigh man after he allegedly threatened a mass shooting.
- Eric Byrd is accused of posting neo-Nazi content and photos with guns.
- At least one gun was found, and he’d reportedly purchased 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
The FBI took an arrest warrant out on a Raleigh teen Thursday after he posted on social media that he planned to commit a mass shooting, according to a criminal complaint.
Eric Constantine Byrd, 19, is charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce to injure another person, court documents show. The FBI Raleigh Joint Terrorism Task Force was alerted by colleagues in Washington, D.C., on March 5 after Meta, the parent company of Instagram, sent several of Byrd’s alleged posts to them.
The complaint, first reported by Court Watch, notes at least 11 posts on two Instagram accounts containing neo-Nazi ideology and threats against Black people, Hispanic people, and gay people.
“Planning on getting #active on my local [slur against Black people] and [slur against Hispanic people],” one post reads. “I’m just trying to find the time to do it which idk when yet [shrugging emoji]. I’m not a pussy I will record it! #NOLIVESMATTER”
In a Feb. 7 post, Byrd allegedly asked his Instagram followers if anyone knew a Black man who graduated from Leesville Road High School in 2025. It’s not clear where Byrd attended high school. The News & Observer is not naming the man to protect his privacy, but Byrd allegedly admitted to FBI agents he planned to shoot him, according to the complaint.
“I know he live in my area cuz I saw him once,” Byrd allegedly wrote in a Feb. 9 exchange with another Instagram user. “He was so lucky I was working that day.”
Several posts allegedly feature Byrd holding guns, including one where he appeared to point the gun at the camera, the complaint states. Other posts featured statements calling mass shooters like Elliot Rodger and Solomon Henderson “saints” who were failed by society.
In a Feb. 20 post, Byrd allegedly said he planned to get a GoPro to livestream his activities, according to the complaint. Other posts mentioned a fascination with Brenton Tarrant, a mass shooter who livestreamed himself killing dozens at a mosque in New Zealand.
“Yes they’re cleansing the world that’s full of filth of course they’re saints,” Byrd allegedly wrote in one message. “They literally did God’s work.”
Parents say 19-year old ‘had issues’
Byrd lived at home with his parents, who told police they knew the 19-year-old “had issues,” saw a therapist occasionally and had been prescribed medicine he didn’t take, the complaint says.
“Byrd’s parents further revealed Byrd had purchased a firearm but initially claimed Byrd did not have access to it,” the complaint states. “Byrd’s mother said Byrd loved and was obsessive about guns. Byrd’s mother claimed the firearm was ‘safe’ in the residence.
“After some hesitation, Byrd’s mother escorted an FBI [agent] to an upstairs bedroom,” the complaint continues. “The firearm was located in a blue box in the closet of what was later determined to be Byrd’s bedroom.”
Raleigh police called to the home
Byrd’s parents also said Raleigh police had been called to their home in January after Byrd reportedly “lost his mind” when they tried to stop him from buying “something ‘stupid,’” the complaint says.
“Byrd admitted that if he had ammunition for his firearm during the aforementioned January 2026 incident with his parents, he would have ‘probably’ killed them,” the complaint states.
A search warrant for emails on Byrd’s phone later found he’d bought 1,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition Feb. 11, according to the complaint. He’d also reportedly purchased an AK-47 in December, though FBI agents believed he sold it after his parents grew suspicious.
“Yuh I got into contact with a bunch of people who sell pistols but they wanted me to be 21 and have a concealed carry permit,” Byrd allegedly wrote in a Dec. 20 text. “But I got into contact with a person who is selling an ak47 and is agreeing to sell it to me.”
In Jan. 19 texts, Byrd allegedly said he enjoyed watching people suffer and liked watching gore videos online. On March 7, he allegedly wrote, “When I die I’m not gonna OD that’s for pussies. I will put a bullet in my head or I get killed by someone else.”
An order for Byrd’s arrest was issued Thursday, according to court documents. It wasn’t immediately clear if or where he was taken into custody.
