An 18-year-old Minnesota man was arrested after allegedly pledging allegiance to ISIS and discussing plans for a mass shooting at the Mall of America. Federal court documents say he was taken into custody after purchasing an AK-47-style rifle, magazines and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee.
According to an affidavit filed in federal court in Minnesota, Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud spent months discussing a potential attack. In September, he allegedly told an FBI confidential source, “I can’t wait until I kill kuffar man. October 24 is the day insha Allah.”
When the source later asked why he had selected Oct. 24, Mohamud allegedly referred to a “Hmong Arts Celebration” at the Mall of America, saying the event would draw “a lot of people,” the affidavit states.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, was arrested after FBI officials say he allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and discussed carrying out a mass shooting at the Mall of America. (U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota)
“Mohamud met with someone he believed to be a loyal member of ISIS to attempt to purchase an AK-47 rifle, knowing it would be used in a felony or federal crime of terrorism,” Christopher Dotson, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office, said at a news conference Wednesday. “Mohamud planned to use the gun he bought in a high-traffic public area just a few weeks’ time in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization.”
Mohamud is 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 a federal crime of terrorism.
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, File)
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to News Media that the suspect “allegedly obtained a weapon he hoped to use in a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS, but this FBI arrested him and put a stop to his plans.”
“Once again, this FBI is moving more effectively than we ever have before at stopping terrorists before they can attack Americans—with over 1,100 individuals prevented from conducting attacks, over 4,000 foreign terrorist organization-related disruptions and arrests, a 38% increase, and more,” Patel said. “We will continue to use every resource we have to detect and prevent acts of terrorism and wipe out their networks all over the country. Thank you to FBI Minneapolis, who did an outstanding job in the investigation and likely saved lives.”
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FBI Director Kash Patel conducts a news conference at the Department of Justice. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, File)
The arrest followed an FBI investigation that began around December 2024. Investigators said the case eventually involved a confidential human source who communicated extensively with Mohamud through encrypted messaging and social media platforms.
The conversations initially focused on Mohamud’s alleged desire 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 travel 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.
Investigators say Mohamud’s plans had changed by July.
Mohamud allegedly told the source he could not afford to travel to Somalia and wrote, “so i will do attack here.” He later discussed purchasing two pistols online and going to the Mall of America or the Minnesota State Fair around Christmas, according to the affidavit.
He allegedly discussed using an assault rifle to attack the Mall of America, telling the source he could “drive straight to the crowded place and start shooting.” Investigators also say Mohamud sent the source a selfie-style video in September pledging allegiance to ISIS and its leader.
The FBI then organized an undercover weapons transaction. On Sept. 25, the source told Mohamud that a “brother” could sell him an AK-style rifle, magazines and ammunition. Mohamud allegedly indicated that he wanted the weapon to be fully automatic.
On Tuesday, Mohamud met with the purported ISIS-connected “brother,” who was actually an undercover FBI employee. He allegedly paid $800 for an AK-47-style rifle, four magazines and about 200 rounds of ammunition. Although the rifle had been rendered inoperable, the ammunition was live. During the meeting, Mohamud allegedly said he intended to carry out a shooting at a “kuffar festival” at the Mall of America.
According to the affidavit, Mohamud left the vehicle carrying the rifle, magazines and ammunition in a duffel bag before FBI agents arrested him at gunpoint.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.