United States authorities have charged an 18-year-old man accused of planning a mass shooting at a shopping mall in Minnesota in support of the Islamic State group.
The FBI arrested Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud after he allegedly purchased an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from an undercover agent during a sting operation that disrupted the suspected plot.
“This individual 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,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Mohamud, who is from Richfield, Minnesota, allegedly planned to kill between 30 and 60 people at the nearby Mall of America. He reportedly targeted the shopping centre because he claimed it was Jewish-owned.
According to authorities, Mohamud had communicated his intentions to an FBI source through hundreds of messages exchanged since 2024. He also allegedly sent a selfie-style video in which he pledged allegiance to IS.
Investigators said Mohamud allegedly wanted to model his planned attack on previous IS-inspired shootings, including the 2016 Pulse Nightclub attack in Florida and the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting in Australia.
He allegedly selected October 24 for the planned attack and intended to target Asians and other non-Muslims attending a scheduled “Hmong Arts Celebration” at the mall.
“As alleged in the criminal complaint, Mohamud took substantial steps to plot to murder innocent people in the name of ISIS,” said Daniel Rosen, US attorney for Minnesota.
Mohamud faces one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition with the intention of committing a federal crime of terrorism. He appeared before a federal judge on Wednesday.
US arrests 18-year-old over alleged ISIS plot to attack Minnesota Mall