Possible ISIS attack thwarted at Mall of America

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(The Center Square) – Federal authorities announced Wednesday that they had thwarted a Minnesota man’s plot to carry out a “mass-shooting event in support of ISIS” at the Mall of America.

Announced on the three-year anniversary of the terror attacks of Oct. 7, 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud is facing one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism.

“This FBI is finding terrorists before they can attack Americans – and we will keep using every resource we have to dismantle their networks across this country,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel.

President Donald Trump also applauded the investigation, stating on Wednesday that “the FBI did a great job.”

According to federal prosecutors, Mohamud allegedly bought an AK-47 assault rifle, four 30-round magazines, and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI agent prior to his arrest on Tuesday.

This was the culmination of a nearly two-long investigation into Mohamud, over the course of which he exchanged hundreds of messages with a “confidential source.”

Mohamud, who was just 16 when the investigation first began, is accused by federal prosecutors to have during the investigation:

• Expressed a desire to travel to Somalia to join a designated foreign terrorist organization and fight on its behalf.

• Expressed a desire to carry out a mass-casualty event in Minnesota.

• Planned to attack the Mall of America because it was “owned by Jews.”

• Hoped to kill 30 to 60 people.

• Made a video pledging allegiance to ISIS.

• Planned to purchase a firearm and recruit others to join him in the attack.

• Sent ISIS propaganda videos depicting executions.

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

Mohamud planned to commit the attack on Oct. 24, during a Hmong Arts Celebration at the Mall of America.

The arrest was part of a joint investigation by the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Bloomington Police Department.

“This FBI doesn’t wait for terrorists to attack,” Patel wrote on social media. “We find them, disrupt them, and put them in handcuffs. Outstanding work by our Minneapolis team. We are staying on offense. America First. Always.”

Minnesota officials also applauded the work by law enforcement.

“Grateful for the swift and professional action to keep Minnesotans safe,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “This is exactly the kind of threat we need federal law enforcement working to prevent, and the kind of work that should remain a priority as we navigate a more dangerous world.”

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is also the Democratic candidate for governor of Minnesota, said the case shows why more funding is needed for anti-terrorism efforts.

“This shows why we continue to need major coordinated investments in anti-terrorism and local law enforcement to stop attacks like these,” she said. “Our state must take terrorism and violent crime head on, working with our federal law enforcement and local police departments to keep Minnesotans safe.”

Mohamud appeared in court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on Wednesday.

If convicted, Mohamud could face up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000