Autoplay Next video from

Sydney Benter speaks with father of suspect in plot against Capitol

139 views · Published 19 January 2015 · 3:09 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2015 · News & Politics

CINCINNATI (WKRC) -- Local 12's Sydney Benter talked with Christopher Cornell's father Wednesday evening.

20-year-old Cornell was named in a criminal complaint and arrested after buying two semi-automatic rifles and 600 rounds of ammunition that he was allegedly going to take to Washington D.C.

The father's name is John Cornell and was very taken aback by the whole ordeal. John told Local 12 News he never would have expected this from his son and described him as a, "Mama's boy."

John described his son as a "homebody" who spent a lot of time alone. He said only recently did Christopher take up an interest in Islam in the last two months.

Christopher did not have a vehicle but his father told Local 12 when he went out without the family he must have been with the FBI informant.

Christopher did hold a season job but his father was not sure how his son was able to afford the weapons he was planning to purchase. The family home is in an apartment complex on Rybolt Rd. in the Western Hills area.

Tri-State terror suspect bought weapons and ammo at local gun store

Man in apparent ISIS-inspired plot included guns and bombs

Local gun store owner talks about terror attack suspect

Man arrested for plot to attack Capitol attended Oak Hills High School

Ohio man accused of plotting to attack US Capitol, arrested

Family shocked at charges against local man accused of U.S. Capitol plot

Rob Braun talks with CNN terrorism analyst Paul Crookshank