Somali Man Accused Of Plotting Mall Of America Attack In Name Of ISIS

The FBI arrested an 18-year-old Somali man Tuesday who allegedly pledged his allegiance to ISIS and plotted a mass-casualty attack at Minnesota’s Mall of America later this month. 

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was arrested Tuesday at a public park after he allegedly tried to pay off an undercover FBI agent $600 to acquire an AK-47 rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition to carry out the attack. 

Mohamud is charged with one count of receiving a firearm and ammunition knowing or having reason to believe they would be used to commit a felony or federal crime of terrorism.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Mohamud intended to target a high-traffic public area at the Mall of America in Bloomington, a Minneapolis suburb, and told others he could kill between 30 and 60 people. 

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said the arrest was “the culmination of an outstanding law enforcement and intelligence operation.”

“Today’s charges demonstrate that the threat of terrorism in support of ISIS and other foreign terrorist organizations is active and continuing,” Rosen said in a press conference. 

FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said Mohamud was “100% committed” to carry out his jihad journey. Mohamud met with an undercover agent he believed to be a loyal member of ISIS  to purchase an AK-47 rifle, knowing it would be used in a federal crime of terrorism, authorities said. 

“He didn’t just buy the rifle; he also bought 30-round magazines, four of them, and 200 live rounds to be used in this attack. Over the course of this investigation, Mohammed repeatedly expressed support of foreign terrorist organizations,” Doston said.  

Booker Hodges, police chief in Bloomington, said he was “horrified” by the alleged plot.

“It’s time that we start teaching our young people that this is a great country, and we’re not perfect, but this type of hatred for this country is something that I just don’t understand,” he said.

Authorities said Mohamud had expressed a desire to travel abroad to fight for a terrorist organization but, because he could not do so, allegedly turned his attention to Minnesota.

The FBI said the investigation began in late 2024 and involved undercover interactions. Officials described Mohamud as a U.S. citizen who referred to Somalia as his parents’ homeland. 

This is a developing story.

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