Mall of America terror plot thwarted, suspected ISIS sympathizer arrested, FBI announces
· Fox News
An 18-year-old Minnesota man who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and discussed carrying out a mass shooting at the Mall of America was arrested after buying an AK-47-style rifle, magazines and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee, according to newly filed federal court documents.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud had allegedly spent months discussing his desire to carry out an attack, telling an FBI confidential source in September, "I can’t wait until I kill kuffar man. October 24 is the day insha Allah," according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Minnesota.
Visit palladian.co.za for more information.
When the source later asked why he had chosen Oct. 24, Mohamud allegedly pointed to a "Hmong Arts Celebration" at the Mall of America, saying it would have "a lot of people," the affidavit states.
WOMAN’S ALLEGED ISIS RADICALIZATION UNFOLDED ONLINE BEFORE CAPITOL BOMB PLOT: COURT DOCS
Mohamud is now charged with knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition while knowing or having reasonable cause to believe they would be used to commit a felony and federal crime of terrorism.
The arrest capped an FBI investigation that began around December 2024 and eventually involved a confidential human source who communicated extensively with Mohamud over encrypted messaging and social media platforms, according to investigators.
Those conversations initially centered on Mohamud allegedly wanting to leave the United States and join al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based terrorist organization. In May, he allegedly told the source he was "so excited to make hijrah" and wanted to go to Somalia, get married and "fight the enemies of Allah." He said he planned to work for about six weeks to save $2,000 for a plane ticket, according to the affidavit.
By July, however, investigators say his plans had changed.
Mohamud allegedly told the source he did not have enough money to travel to Somalia and wrote, "so i will do attack here." He later discussed buying two pistols online and going to the Mall of America or the Minnesota State Fair around Christmas, according to the affidavit.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.