MINNESOTA—U.S. federal authorities arrested an 18-year-old man accused of planning a mass attack at the Mall of America in Minnesota, allegedly in support of the terrorist group ISIS.
The detainee, identified as Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud,
faces a federal charge of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition, knowing
they would be used to commit a federal terrorism offense. He was arrested on
October 6 after acquiring an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and approximately 200
rounds of ammunition during an undercover FBI operation.
According to the complaint filed in federal court, Mohamud
had been under investigation since December 2024 and had exchanged hundreds of
messages with a confidential source. In those communications, he allegedly
expressed his intention to travel to Somalia to join a terrorist organization
and later suggested carrying out an attack in Minnesota if he was unable to
make that trip.
Court documents indicate that the young man chose the Mall
of America as his target and expressed his intention to kill between 30 and 60
people. He also stated that he wanted to attack the mall because, according to
him, it was owned by Jews.
The investigation further indicates that the attack was
planned for October 24, coinciding with the Hmong Arts Celebration, a cultural
event for the Hmong community scheduled at the mall.
According to prosecutors, Mohamud identified attendees of
the event as potential targets and used the term "kuffar" to refer to
non-Muslims. He also allegedly sent a confidential source a link related to the
celebration.
The FBI ultimately organized an operation in which an
undercover agent sold him the weapon, magazines, and ammunition. The rifle had
been previously disabled by agents. After the purchase was finalized for
approximately $600, Mohamud was arrested.
U.S. authorities described the operation as an intervention
that prevented a potential large-scale attack before it could be carried out.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office stressed that the complaint contains
accusations and that Mohamud is considered innocent until proven guilty in a
court of law.