FBI Foils Alleged ISIS-Inspired Terror Plot Targeting Mall of America

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Federal authorities arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota man accused of plotting a mass-casualty terrorist attack at the Mall of America, stopping him before anyone was harmed.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, a U.S. citizen from the Twin Cities area, was arrested Tuesday in Richfield during an arranged meeting in which he allegedly sought to obtain an assault-style rifle for the attack, according to federal prosecutors.

Authorities say Mohamud had been on the FBI’s radar for nearly two years and repeatedly discussed his desire to travel overseas and join terrorist organizations, including ISIS and the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab. When those plans failed, investigators allege he turned his attention toward carrying out an attack in Minnesota.

According to the criminal complaint, Mohamud told a confidential FBI source about plans to attack the Mall of America later in October. He allegedly discussed targeting a large gathering at the Bloomington shopping complex and hoped to inflict mass casualties.

Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said authorities believe Mohamud could have killed dozens of people had investigators not intervened.

Prosecutors allege Mohamud pledged allegiance to ISIS in September and ultimately planned an attack in support of the terrorist organization.

The arrest comes as federal authorities continue confronting terrorism and fraud cases in Minnesota. The Justice Department has previously prosecuted Minnesota residents for attempting to support ISIS and Al-Shabaab, including cases involving individuals seeking to travel overseas to join terrorist groups.

Mohamud was taken into custody before the alleged plot could be carried out, and no one was injured.