FBI Charges Minnesota Man in Alleged ISIS Plot at Mall of America
Federal authorities arrested 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud for allegedly planning a mass-casualty attack at the Mall of America in support of ISIS. Prosecutors say he bought an AK-47 and 200 rounds from an undercover FBI agent and targeted a Hmong arts event, intending to kill non-Muslims. The complaint also alleges he selected the mall because its owners are Jewish.
Federal prosecutors say Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen from Richfield whose parents are Somali, was arrested after allegedly obtaining an AK-47 and 200 rounds from an undercover FBI agent. The complaint claims he planned to attack the Hmong Arts Celebration on Oct. 24 and the Mall of America, seeking non-Muslim victims and citing the mall’s Jewish ownership.
Officials said Mohamud expressed ISIS support, allegedly swearing loyalty through messages and extremist videos to a confidential source. Investigators say he wanted an attack meant to cause many deaths, mentioning killing dozens, after concluding he could not travel overseas to fight for such groups.
The alleged plot may heighten security concerns at malls and cultural gatherings in Minnesota, particularly affecting Hmong, Jewish, and Muslim communities in different ways. It could increase fear among targeted groups while also prompting broader scrutiny of Somali-American and Muslim communities. Public debate about domestic terrorism, immigration, and civil liberties may intensify, though the charges remain allegations and the legal process could shape how the case is understood.