The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!
The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!

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Feds arrest teen of Somali parents for planning ISIS-inspired massacre on Mall of America

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BS BULLETIN:

  • Federal prosecutors say an 18-year-old Minnesota man planned a mass-casualty shooting at the Mall of America and pledged allegiance to ISIS.
  • Investigators allege he specifically chose an Oct. 24 Hmong Arts Celebration because “it will be a lot of people.”
  • The FBI arrested him after authorities say he bought an AK-47-style rifle, four magazines and 200 rounds from an undercover employee.

Federal authorities say they stopped an 18-year-old Minnesota man who was preparing to turn one of America’s busiest malls into the scene of an ISIS-inspired mass shooting.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was arrested Tuesday after allegedly purchasing an AK-47-style rifle, four magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI employee for $600.

But according to a newly filed federal complaint, the arrest came after an investigation stretching back nearly two years — and after Mohamud allegedly became increasingly specific about what he wanted to do.

Authorities say Mohamud initially discussed traveling to Somalia to join al-Shabaab and fight on the terrorist organization’s behalf.

By July, however, money had reportedly become a problem.

Unable to afford the trip, Mohamud allegedly told an FBI confidential source he would carry out an attack in the United States instead.

“So i will do attack here,” he allegedly wrote.

Investigators say he considered the Mall of America and Minnesota’s Valleyfair amusement park as potential targets.

The complaint alleges Mohamud said he selected the Mall of America in part because he believed it was Jewish-owned.

His plans allegedly became considerably more specific in September.

Mohamud reportedly discussed the Oct. 24 Hmong Arts Celebration at the Mall of America, telling the confidential source that “it will be a lot of people.”

Federal authorities say he also watched video of the 2016 Pulse nightclub terrorist attack in Orlando and discussed using similar tactics.

“I just walk in and shoot,” Mohamud allegedly wrote.

According to investigators, Mohamud also posted a video on Discord in September pledging allegiance to ISIS.

In another alleged message cited by authorities, he wrote, “I can’t wait until I kill kuffar man. October 24 is the day insha Allah.”

The FBI’s investigation involved hundreds of messages exchanged with Mohamud through social media and encrypted messaging applications.

Authorities finally moved in Tuesday after arranging for Mohamud to meet an undercover FBI employee he believed was an ISIS associate.

Prosecutors say Mohamud handed over $600 and received a Norinco AK-47-style rifle along with four magazines and roughly 200 live rounds of ammunition.

Agents arrested him after he left the undercover employee’s vehicle with the weapon and ammunition.

Mohamud is charged with knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition while knowing or having reasonable cause to believe they would be used to commit a felony and a federal terrorism crime.

The allegations remain accusations, and Mohamud has not been convicted.

MY QUICK TAKE

There is one detail here that ought to make everybody’s hair stand up: according to prosecutors, this wasn’t merely some teenager ranting online about terrorism.

The government says he chose a crowded event, studied another mass shooting, discussed exactly how he would attack and then showed up with $600 to buy an AK-47 and 200 rounds.

And apparently the only thing that stood between “I just walk in and shoot” and a packed Mall of America was the person selling him the rifle being an FBI employee.

Sometimes the much-maligned surveillance and undercover machinery of the federal government produces a story that ends exactly the way you want it to: with nobody shot and the alleged would-be shooter in handcuffs.

DBS WIRE SOURCES

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