A family member of Gregory Lepsky called the police in February 2017 and reported that Lepsky had threatened to kill the family dog. When the police arrived, they found the dog alive, hiding under the bed with a large slash wound to its back. Police also found a pressure cooker in Lepsky’s closet and a book titled “Martyrdom in Jihad Versus Suicide Bombing.” At a hospital, and in front of law enforcement agents, Lepsky said he was working for ISIS and had planned to use a pressure cooker bomb in New York City. A search of Lepsky’s computer and phone revealed that he had been searching for information about ISIS and weapons. He was also communicating with people online and through text messages about ISIS and jihad.