FBI Arrests Minnesota Teen Accused of Planning ISIS-Inspired Mass Shooting at Mall of America
RICHFIELD, Minnesota — Federal authorities have arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota man accused of planning a mass-casualty shooting at the Mall of America in support of ISIS, following a lengthy FBI counterterrorism investigation and an undercover operation.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, of Richfield, Minnesota, was arrested by the FBI on October 6, 2026, after authorities say he obtained an AK-47-style rifle, four 30-round magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI employee. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Mohamud paid approximately $600 in cash during the undercover transaction and was arrested shortly afterward.
FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators intervened before the alleged plan could be carried out.
“This individual allegedly obtained a weapon he hoped to use in a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS, but this FBI arrested him and put a stop to his plans,” Patel said.
Alleged Mall of America Attack Plan
According to the federal criminal complaint, investigators began communicating with Mohamud through a confidential source in or around December 2024. Authorities say the two exchanged hundreds of messages across multiple social media and messaging platforms.
Prosecutors allege that Mohamud initially expressed a desire to travel to Somalia and join a designated foreign terrorist organization. When he reportedly could not afford to travel overseas, investigators say he began discussing the possibility of carrying out a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota instead.
The complaint alleges that by July 2026, Mohamud had specifically identified the Mall of America as a potential target. Prosecutors say he claimed the mall was Jewish-owned and discussed killing between 30 and 60 people.
Authorities further allege that Mohamud continued discussing the plan throughout August and September and talked about obtaining a firearm and recruiting other people to participate.
October 24 Date Allegedly Identified
Investigators say Mohamud eventually identified October 24 as the date for the proposed attack.
According to the complaint, he was looking for a time when large numbers of people would be gathered at the mall. Authorities allege that he identified the Hmong Arts Celebration scheduled at the Mall of America and discussed targeting Asians and other people he considered non-Muslims.
Prosecutors say Mohamud also sent material connected to ISIS and recorded a video in which he allegedly pledged allegiance to the extremist organization.
Federal authorities said the alleged planning continued until investigators moved to intervene.
Undercover Operation Leads to Arrest
On October 6, FBI investigators arranged an undercover purchase in which an FBI employee supplied Mohamud with an AK-47-style rifle, four 30-round magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.
The rifle had been rendered inert by the FBI before the transaction, according to the Justice Department. Authorities said the ammunition remained live.
After Mohamud allegedly paid approximately $600 and took possession of the items, investigators arrested him. Prosecutors say he again discussed his intention to use the firearm and ammunition in an attack at the Mall of America during the transaction.
The investigation involved the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Bloomington Police Department, with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation.
Federal Charge
Mohamud was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism.
He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright on October 7, according to the Justice Department.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen said investigators believed Mohamud had moved beyond simply discussing violence and had taken concrete steps toward the alleged attack.
“As alleged in the criminal complaint, Mohamud took substantial steps to plot to murder innocent people in the name of ISIS,” Rosen said.
Authorities Say Attack Was Stopped Before Anyone Was Hurt
No mass shooting occurred at the Mall of America, and authorities arrested Mohamud before the alleged October 24 attack date.
Officials described the case as a significant counterterrorism operation designed to intervene before an alleged threat could become an actual attack. The Mall of America said it maintains multiple layers of security and would continue working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not indicated that an attack occurred or that anyone was injured in connection with the alleged plot.
Federal Case Remains Pending
The allegations against Mohamud are contained in a criminal complaint and have not been proven in court.
Under U.S. law, a criminal complaint is an allegation, and Mohamud is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Federal authorities are expected to continue investigating the alleged communications, possible recruitment efforts and the full scope of the reported plot as the case proceeds.
