Federal authorities announced the arrest of an 18-year-old Minnesota man Tuesday, alleging he planned an ISIS-inspired mass-casualty attack at the Mall of America later this month. Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, an American citizen of Somali descent, was taken into custody after reportedly purchasing an AK-47-style rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition from a source working with the FBI.
"The complaint charges Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud with acquiring an AK-47 assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism, including attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization." Dan Rosen, Minnesota U.S. Attorney
Minnesota U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, stating that investigators successfully disrupted the alleged plot before it could be carried out. "The complaint charges Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud with acquiring an AK-47 assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism, including attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization," Rosen stated. Authorities allege Mohamud had discussed potentially killing "maybe 30 to 60 people" during the planned attack.
The alleged plot targeted the Mall of America in Bloomington on October 24, a date when a Hmong Arts Celebration was scheduled to take place. The investigation into Mohamud's activities reportedly stretched back nearly two years, utilizing a confidential human source who exchanged hundreds of messages with him via social media and encrypted applications since December 2024.
According to the criminal complaint, Mohamud initially expressed a desire to travel to Somalia to join al-Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Investigators allege he wanted to either fight overseas for the group or execute a mass-casualty attack within Minnesota. By July, Mohamud reportedly informed the confidential source that he lacked the financial means to travel abroad and subsequently shifted his focus to planning an attack inside the United States.
Prosecutors allege Mohamud expressed support for ISIS and, in September, posted an online video pledging allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. The complaint further states that Mohamud settled on the Mall of America as his intended target, allegedly telling the confidential source he wanted to attack the large shopping complex "because it's owned by Jewish." He also reportedly referenced a deadly antisemitic attack that occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, as a source of inspiration for his alleged plan.
The culmination of the alleged plot occurred this week when Mohamud arranged to obtain a firearm. He purchased the AK-47-style rifle and ammunition from an individual working with federal law enforcement. FBI agents then moved in and arrested him at gunpoint, effectively neutralizing the alleged threat before the planned attack could proceed.
U.S. Attorney Rosen praised the efforts of federal law enforcement, emphasizing their role in protecting the public. "Federal law enforcement is standing up to their calling to protect us," Rosen said. "Here, because of their vigilance and diligence, they were able to detect a threat and disrupt it before the defendant carried out his intention to kill."
Mohamud now faces accusations of acquiring a weapon in furtherance of a federal terrorism offense and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. It is important to note that these remain accusations, and Mohamud has not been convicted of any crime. The arrest comes less than three weeks before the date prosecutors say he had selected for the alleged attack, highlighting the time-sensitive nature of the FBI's intervention. Federal officials are crediting the undercover investigation with stopping a potentially devastating plan at one of the nation's largest shopping centers.
