An 18-year-old US citizen, Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, was arrested in Minnesota after federal investigators said he had planned an ISIS-inspired terror attack at the Mall of America and discussed killing dozens of people. Mohamud was taken into custody during an FBI operation in Richfield on October 6, while attempting to obtain an assault rifle and ammunition, according to a federal criminal complaint filed on October 7.
Minnesota US Attorney Daniel Rosen and FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said investigators had identified and disrupted what they described as a developing terror attack before it could be carried out. Rosen said Mohamud had discussed killing between 30 and 60 people. Mohamud, a Twin Cities resident, made his first court appearance on October 7.
The federal complaint says an FBI confidential human source maintained hundreds of exchanges with Mohamud through social media and encrypted messaging platforms from December 2024 until October 6. During those conversations, Mohamud reportedly expressed a desire to travel to Somalia to join al-Shabaab and fight for the organisation or carry out a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota.
ISIS and mall of America attack plan
According to the court documents, Mohamud later shifted his focus to an America attack after telling the informant that he did not have enough money to travel to Somalia. In July 2026, he reportedly discussed carrying out an ISIS-inspired terror attack in the United States, saying he would do so solely for the sake of Allah.
Mohamud identified the Mall of America in Bloomington and Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee as possible targets. The complaint says he considered purchasing two pistols online before proceeding with an attack. He subsequently focused on the Mall of America, saying he wanted to attack it because it was “owned by Jewish”.
The ISIS plot reportedly became more specific in September, when Mohamud told the confidential source that he wanted to attack the Mall of America during the Hmong Arts Celebration scheduled for October 24. He reportedly referred to the expected crowd, saying there would be “a lot of people”.
Federal investigators also allege that Mohamud had been studying previous terror attacks. In one exchange, he reportedly said he had watched footage of the 2016 Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando and believed he could carry out a similar attack. Court documents quote him as saying, “I just walk in and shoot.”
The complaint further states that Mohamud sent the source a video through Discord in which he pledged allegiance to ISIS. Investigators also documented his reported interest in joining al-Shabaab and his discussions about martyrdom and ideologically motivated violence.
The documents say Mohamud’s stated motivations included hostility towards people of other faiths. Prosecutors also linked his discussions to the 2025 antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, which Mohamud reportedly cited as an inspiration for his planned terror attack.
FBI operation disrupts planned Mall of America attack
The FBI had previously attempted to intervene after investigators became concerned about Mohamud’s radicalisation. According to Rosen, federal authorities contacted his parents in May 2025 after identifying concerns about his activities. Rosen said those attempts to speak with the family were rebuffed and subsequently urged parents to respond to warnings from federal law enforcement when concerns about radicalisation arise.
The investigation continued through 2025 and 2026 as the FBI confidential source communicated with Mohamud. On October 6, investigators arranged a meeting in a Richfield park parking lot to facilitate the purchase of a firearm. According to the affidavit, Mohamud obtained a Norinco AK-47, Model Mac-90 Sporter, together with four magazines and approximately 200 rounds of 7.62×39-calibre ammunition.
He was arrested at gunpoint after leaving an undercover employee’s vehicle with the rifle and ammunition. A Richfield resident, Mike O’Brien, told local media that he witnessed the operation while visiting a nearby dog park. O’Brien said he saw as many as 30 agents move in and take down a suspect, describing the sudden operation as agents emerging from vehicles and securing the area.
Federal prosecutors allege that Mohamud knowingly received the firearm and ammunition while having reasonable cause to believe they would be used to commit a felony and a federal crime of terrorism. The charges also include allegations involving providing or conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
The Mall of America has previously been identified by security officials as a potential target because of its large number of visitors and proximity to major transportation infrastructure. Simon Osamoh, a former head of counterterrorism at the mall and current chief executive of Kingswood Security Consulting, said mass-gathering locations are attractive to individuals influenced by terrorist ideology.
Osamoh said the Mall of America maintains multiple security measures, including facial-recognition technology, K9 teams, undercover officers and coordination with law enforcement agencies. He also referenced earlier Minnesota terrorism cases involving Somali-American men attempting to join ISIS overseas, with several later convicted or pleading guilty.
The Mall of America said it was grateful to the FBI and its law-enforcement partners for identifying and disrupting the threat. The mall said the safety and security of visitors and employees remained its highest priority.
Mohamud remains subject to the federal criminal proceedings stemming from the ISIS-inspired Mall of America terror plot. The investigation and court proceedings are continuing.
