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FBI Arrests Teen Plotting ISIS-Inspired Attack at Mall of America
Confirmed
In Short: The FBI arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota man who planned a mass-casualty attack at the Mall of America in support of ISIS.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of Minnesota's Twin Cities, was arrested Tuesday after attempting to purchase an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent.
According to federal prosecutors, Mohamud had expressed a desire to carry out a terrorist attack at the Mall of America, a popular tourist destination, and had pledged allegiance to ISIS.
Mohamud allegedly communicated with an FBI informant over social media platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and Discord, discussing his plans to join terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab or ISIS.
In May 2025, FBI agents attempted to interview Mohamud, but his father declined to provide any information.
Attorney Daniel Rosen stated that the arrest was the result of an 'outstanding' intelligence and law enforcement operation.
Special Agent Christopher Dotson said Mohamud had repeatedly expressed support for foreign terrorist organizations and sought to carry out his plans in a 'high-trafficked, public area.'
The indictment details Mohamud's pursuit of his attack, including his exasperation with his life in America and his desire to disrupt the mall's operations.
The Mall of America issued a statement acknowledging the unsettling news and emphasizing its commitment to safety.
Minnesota's U.S. Attorney's Office announced the indictment Wednesday, highlighting the ongoing threat of terrorism in support of ISIS.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) commented on X, stating that Islamic extremism is disrupting the country's values and way of life.
The FBI's intervention prevented a potential mass casualty event and underscores the need for continued vigilance against terrorism.
What's confirmed
- “Mohamud allegedly sought martyrdom in carrying out his plans to murder innocent civilians,” Dotson said.
- By that point, Mohamud had pledged allegiance to ISIS through a selfie-style video, investigators said.
- “That’s why I wanna save up to go to another country or…get a gun here and just start killing a bunch of white ppl."
- “I wanna get martyred inshallah,” one of his messages said to a confidential informant.
What's still developing
- Attorney Daniel Rosen opined that he had intended to kill "maybe 30 or 60 people." Minneapolis is home to a large Somali-expat community that has come under fire in recent years over allegations of widespread public funds fraud and alleged financial support for Al-Shabaab.
- His arrest followed what officials called an “outstanding” intelligence and law enforcement operation.
- Mohamud was arrested on Tuesday by the FBI in a Richfield parking lot after purchasing an AK-47 rifle, four magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition for $600 from an undercover officer whom he thought was a member of ISIS.
- In May of 2025, FBI agents attempted to interview Mohamud but his father told them he did not want to share “any information pertaining to himself or his son” with the FBI but would give their phone number to his attorney.
- “When he started talking about dates and methods, and the level of enthusiasm and commitment to it, the determination to intervene and disrupt was made, and to do it at the soonest possible time,” U.S.
- He allegedly planned to kill between 30 and 60 people at the Mall of America, based in Bloomington, Minnesota.
- “This is just another example of a large rise in Islamic extremism, which is disrupting our country’s values and way of life,” Emmer posted on X.