MINNEAPOLIS â An 18-year-old Minnesota man has been arrested after federal prosecutors accused him of planning an ISIS-inspired mass-casualty attack at Mall of America, a case authorities say developed from nearly two years of online monitoring into an undercover firearms operation.
đ¨ U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Dan Rosen says the FBI has arrested and charged 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud for planning a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS at the Mall of America https://t.co/MyMZa6NMCo
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 7, 2026
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, a Twin Cities resident and U.S. citizen, was taken into custody Tuesday, October 6, in Richfield after allegedly obtaining an AK-pattern rifle, four magazines and about 200 rounds of ammunition during an arranged meeting with an undercover FBI employee.
The arrest followed a lengthy FBI counterterrorism investigation that began in December 2024, according to a federal criminal complaint detailed by CBS Minnesota.
Authorities allege a confidential human source exchanged hundreds of messages with Mohamud across social-media and encrypted messaging platforms. Investigators say those conversations gradually moved from extremist rhetoric and discussion of traveling overseas toward an alleged plan to carry out an attack inside the United States.
Prosecutors say Mall of America became the target
According to court documents, Mohamud allegedly discussed traveling to Somalia and joining a militant organization but later told the FBI source that he did not have enough money to make the trip.
Federal investigators say he then began discussing possible targets in Minnesota, including Mall of America in Bloomington and the Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee.
By September, prosecutors allege the plan had become considerably more specific.
Mohamud allegedly told the source that he wanted to attack Mall of America on October 24, when the shopping complex is scheduled to host its second annual Hmong Arts Celebration.
The event is scheduled from noon until 5 p.m. at the Huntington Bank Rotunda and is promoted as a family-friendly celebration featuring live performances, traditional fashion, music and storytelling, according to the official Mall of America event listing.
Prosecutors say Mohamud allegedly pointed to the expected crowd when discussing the date.
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen said investigators believe the suspected plan could have resulted in dozens of deaths.
âThey were able to detect a threat and disrupt it before the defendant carried out his intention to kill, in his words, maybe 30 to 60 people,â Rosen said during a Wednesday news conference.
Investigators also allege that Mohamud watched footage from previous mass attacks and discussed whether a similar assault could be carried out at the mall.
Court documents cited by CBS Minnesota say he had watched footage from the 2016 Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando. Prosecutors also allege he sent the FBI source a video through Discord in which he pledged allegiance to ISIS.
The allegations mark the latest major federal public-safety investigation involving a planned attack at a crowded civilian location. Separately, authorities have also been dealing with other violent incidents across the United States, including the recent fatal stabbing investigation aboard a Queens J Train in New York.
Undercover gun deal led directly to arrest
Federal authorities say the investigation entered its final stage when an undercover FBI employee was introduced to Mohamud as someone connected with ISIS.
On October 6, prosecutors allege Mohamud met the undercover employee in the parking area of a public park in Richfield.
According to the criminal complaint, Mohamud paid $600 and received what the filing identifies as a Norinco AK-pattern rifle, four magazines and approximately 200 live rounds of 7.62×39 ammunition.
Agents moved in moments later.
Authorities say Mohamud was arrested at gunpoint after leaving the undercover employee’s vehicle with the weapon and ammunition.
The Associated Press reported that he had been under investigation for almost two years before agents carried out the operation. Federal officials said the purpose of the investigation was to disrupt the alleged threat before anyone at the mall was placed in danger.
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said investigators viewed the communications as evidence of an escalating threat.
âThe messages this defendant allegedly sent to others were chilling,â Dotson said, describing what investigators characterized as increasing support for ideologically motivated violence.
The criminal complaint also says FBI agents visited Mohamud’s family home in May 2025 after becoming concerned about his online activity.
Rosen said the case illustrates why families should take warnings from federal law enforcement seriously when investigators raise concerns about possible radicalization.
Mohamud is accused of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition while knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that they would be used to commit a felony and a federal crime of terrorism.
The federal allegations also reference conduct involving providing, attempting to provide or conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The case now moves through the federal court system, where prosecutors are expected to present further evidence from the criminal complaint, electronic communications and the undercover investigation.
It was not immediately clear Wednesday whether Mohamud had retained an attorney who could publicly respond to the accusations.
No attack occurred at Mall of America and authorities have not reported any injuries connected with the alleged plot.
The October 24 Hmong Arts Celebration remained listed on Mall of America’s public events calendar as of Wednesday.
All allegations against Mohamud are accusations at this stage. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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