The FBI arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota resident on Tuesday on charges of plotting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting attack at the largest shopping complex in the United States, in part because he believed the venue is Jewish-owned, Reuters reported.
2+According to federal court records, the suspect, Sheikhdon Abdullahi Mohamud, planned to murder between 30 and 60 people at the Mall of America, located adjacent to Minneapolis, during a Hmong cultural event scheduled to take place at the facility on October 24. Mohamud sought to execute the attack under the inspiration of the ISIS terrorist organization and explicitly voiced a desire to slaughter non-Muslims.
Investigative records indicate that the suspect communicated extensively with an undercover FBI agent across multiple encrypted messaging platforms. During those exchanges, he initially expressed a desire to travel overseas to fight in the ranks of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization. Mohamed clarified that if he were unable to leave the United States, he intended to carry out a mass-casualty shooting attack on American soil. In subsequent conversations, he stated his allegiance and desire to join ISIS.
2+Court filings further detail that as early as July, Mohamud disclosed to the undercover operative his intention to murder dozens of civilians at the landmark shopping center. He explained that he chose the Mall of America because he believed its owners were Jewish, deliberately pinpointing October 24 because of the high-attendance Hmong cultural celebration set to be held there.
Additionally, records show that during the interactions, the suspect voiced support for the perpetrator of the January 1, 2025 vehicular ramming attack in New Orleans, which claimed the lives of 14 people. On Tuesday, Mohamud met with an undercover FBI agent to purchase an AK-47 assault rifle, four 30-round capacity magazines, and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition for $600. Immediately following the transaction, federal agents moved in and arrested him, bringing the violent plot to an abrupt end.
2+Mohamed has been formally charged with knowingly receiving firearms and ammunition with the intent to commit an act of terrorism. He made his initial court appearance on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright.
The Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the United States, with more than 500 retail stores, an indoor amusement park, and an aquarium, and it serves as one of the country’s prominent commercial and tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year.