The suspect, identified as Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, of Richfield, Minnesota, was arrested on October 6 and charged with knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition for the purpose of committing a federal crime of terrorism.

He appeared before a federal judge on Wednesday, October 7.

Suspect Allegedly Planned to Kill 30 to 60 People

According to a criminal complaint released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Mohamud allegedly discussed carrying out a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota in hundreds of messages exchanged with an FBI confidential source beginning in December 2024.

Authorities said he initially expressed an interest in travelling to Somalia to join a foreign terrorist organisation. However, the complaint alleges that he later said that if he could not travel overseas because of a lack of money, he would carry out an attack in Minnesota instead.

In July 2026, Mohamud allegedly identified the Mall of America as a potential target, claiming it was owned by Jews. Prosecutors said he discussed killing between 30 and 60 people at the mall.

October 24 Identified as Alleged Attack Date

Investigators said Mohamud later identified October 24 as the date for the planned attack.

According to the complaint, he referred to a scheduled Hmong Arts Celebration at the Mall of America and allegedly indicated that the event would attract large numbers of Asians and other non-Muslims.

Authorities allege that he expressed a desire to target people he referred to using an Arabic term for non-Muslims.

The complaint also states that Mohamud allegedly wanted to imitate previous mass-casualty attacks, including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and the 2025 Bondi Beach attack in Australia.

FBI Undercover Operation

The FBI said investigators arranged an undercover purchase after months of communications with Mohamud.

On October 6, an undercover FBI employee allegedly sold him an AK-47 assault rifle, four 30-round magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.

The FBI said the rifle had been rendered inert before the transaction.

Authorities said Mohamud paid approximately $600 in cash for the items and was arrested shortly afterwards. The complaint alleges that during the transaction, he reaffirmed his intention to use the firearm and ammunition in an attack at the Mall of America.

FBI Says Attack Was Prevented

FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect allegedly obtained the weapon with the intention of carrying out a mass-casualty attack in support of ISIS, but that federal agents intervened before the planned attack could take place.

Daniel Rosen, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, said the complaint alleges that Mohamud took substantial steps toward carrying out the planned attack.

The investigation involved the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Bloomington Police Department, with assistance from the IRS Criminal Investigation division.

Suspect Faces Federal Terrorism-Related Charge

Mohamud faces one federal count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism.

The U.S. Department of Justice stressed that the criminal complaint contains allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.