FBI Arrests Minnesota Man in ISIS-Inspired Mall of America Shooting Plot

Minnesota — An 18-year-old Minnesota man has been arrested and charged after allegedly planning a mass shooting at the Mall of America in support of ISIS, according to an October 7 Justice Department announcement.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, of Richfield, was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism. FBI agents arrested him October 6, and he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright the following day.

According to the complaint, Mohamud identified October 24 as the planned attack date and linked his intentions to a Hmong arts celebration scheduled at the mall. Investigators allege he discussed killing 30 to 60 people and sought to recruit others to participate.

The investigation involved hundreds of messages exchanged between Mohamud and a confidential source through multiple social media and messaging applications, beginning around December 2024.

Prosecutors allege Mohamud initially expressed a desire to travel to Somalia to join and fight for a designated foreign terrorist organization. He repeatedly indicated that if he could not afford to travel overseas, he would carry out a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota in support of ISIS.

In July 2026, Mohamud allegedly identified the Mall of America as a target, citing his claim that it was owned by Jews. During August and September, he continued discussing firearm purchases and recruiting others, according to the complaint. He also allegedly sent a video of himself pledging allegiance to ISIS.

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Investigators said Mohamud expressed a desire to emulate attacks including the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and the 2025 New Year’s Day vehicle attack in New Orleans.

In September, Mohamud allegedly discussed killing non-Muslims and sent the confidential source a link to the mall’s Hmong Arts Celebration. According to the complaint, he indicated that the event would draw numerous Asian attendees and other people he intended to target.

On October 6, an undercover FBI employee sold Mohamud an AK-47 rifle, four 30-round magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition in a transaction arranged by investigators. The FBI had rendered the rifle inoperable before the sale.

Mohamud allegedly paid approximately $600 in cash and took possession of the items. During the transaction, prosecutors say, he reaffirmed his intention to use the firearm and ammunition to shoot people at the Mall of America. Agents arrested him shortly afterward.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the allegations describe an effort to carry out a mass-casualty shooting inspired by ISIS. U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen credited investigators with intervening before the planned attack.

The FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Force and Bloomington Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation. National Security Division Trial Attorney Ryan White and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar are prosecuting it.

The criminal complaint contains allegations, and Mohamud is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.