FBI arrests Minnesota man accused of planning ISIS-inspired Mall of America attack

The Big Picture

Federal authorities have arrested an 18-year-old Twin Cities resident accused of planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, later this month.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was arrested Tuesday in Richfield during an arranged meeting to obtain a rifle and ammunition, according to a federal criminal complaint described by CBS News. Prosecutors allege he discussed killing 30 to 60 people and chose the Mall of America because of the expected crowds at an Oct. 24 Hmong Arts Celebration.

Mohamud has made his first court appearance and faces a federal firearms-related charge tied to an alleged terrorism offense. The allegations are contained in a criminal complaint, and his guilt has not been established in court.

What Happened

The FBI investigation involved a confidential human source who exchanged hundreds of messages with Mohamud through social media and encrypted messaging applications from December 2024 until his arrest, according to the complaint.

Authorities allege Mohamud expressed interest in traveling to Somalia to join al-Shabaab and fight for the group, or carrying out a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota. In July, after saying he lacked the money to travel, he allegedly told the source he would carry out an attack in the United States "for the sake of Allah only," according to court documents cited by CBS News.

The complaint alleges that Mohamud considered targeting either the Mall of America or Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee. He allegedly discussed buying two pistols online before focusing on the mall.

According to court records, Mohamud said he wanted to attack the Mall of America because it was "owned by Jewish" and cited the previous year's antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, as an inspiration. Authorities also allege he watched video of the 2016 Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando and wrote, "I just walk in and shoot."

Court documents say Mohamud sent a video through Discord in which he allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS. The Hill, citing an FBI source, reported that he repeatedly affirmed an intent to kill non-Muslims.

What Each Side Is Saying

Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said investigators disrupted the alleged plan before Mohamud could act. Rosen said the FBI had detected a threat and intervened before the defendant could carry out what Rosen described as an intention to kill "maybe 30 to 60 people."

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said the messages attributed to Mohamud documented an alleged commitment to ideologically motivated violence and the planned murder of civilians.

The FBI contacted Mohamud's parents in May 2025 after determining that he appeared to be becoming radicalized, Rosen said. Rosen said the parents did not cooperate with the bureau's efforts to speak with them.

No response from Mohamud or an attorney representing him was included in the source material.

Why It Matters

The case centers on one of the region's most prominent public gathering places. Former Mall of America counterterrorism head Simon Osamoh told CBS News that the mall receives tens of millions of visitors annually and has long been viewed as a potential target because of its size and proximity to transit and the airport.

Osamoh said the mall has security layers that include links with law enforcement, facial recognition, K9 teams and undercover officers. He said the alleged plot underscored the continuing appeal of crowded locations to people motivated by extremist ideology.

What Happens Next

Authorities allege Mohamud knowingly received a firearm and ammunition while having reasonable cause to believe they would be used to commit a felony and a federal terrorism crime, including material support for a designated foreign terrorist organization.

During the meeting in a Richfield park parking lot, the FBI alleges Mohamud left an undercover employee's vehicle with a Norinco AK-47 Mac-90 Sporter rifle, four magazines and about 200 rounds of 7.62x39-caliber ammunition before he was arrested.

The case will now proceed through federal court, where prosecutors must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.