An 18-year-old man, Sheikhdoon Mohamud, has been arrested by U.S. authorities for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at the Mall of America in Minnesota, inspired by ISIS ideologies. The arrest took place on October 6, following the acquisition of an AK-47 and 200 rounds of ammunition from a confidential FBI source, according to court documents released on Wednesday.

Mohamud had been under investigation by the FBI since December 2024, when he began communicating with a confidential source about potential plans to either travel to Somalia to join al-Shabaab or execute a mass-casualty attack in the United States. Prosecutors revealed that he had expressed a desire for martyrdom and discussed intentions to kill a significant number of people, stating, "I want to attack the Mall of America because it’s owned by Jewish people," and that his goal was to instill fear in the community.

The court filings indicate that Mohamud's radicalization intensified over time. By December 2025, he had shifted his focus from overseas jihad to planning an attack within the United States. His communications included admiration for previous attackers, such as the perpetrator of the New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans and Omar Mateen, who was responsible for the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando.

In August, Mohamud began arranging to meet the FBI source to purchase the weaponry. He reportedly sent photographs of himself to facilitate identification during their meeting. On the day of his arrest, an undercover agent provided him with a duffel bag containing the AK-47 and ammunition, during which Mohamud reiterated his plans for a shooting at a festival at the Mall of America.

The FBI apprehended Mohamud at gunpoint as he exited a vehicle after the transaction. U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Dan Rosen, emphasized the importance of this operation, stating, "The American people and the citizens of Minnesota should know from yesterday’s arrest that federal law enforcement is standing up to their calling to protect us."

Rosen highlighted the chilling nature of Mohamud's communications, which revealed a deep commitment to violence and a blatant disregard for human life. He also noted that Mohamud is believed to be an American citizen, although his parents hail from Somalia. Previously, the FBI had attempted to intervene after receiving reports of Mohamud's extremist online activity, but their efforts to engage with his family were met with resistance.

Rosen urged parents across Minnesota and the nation to take warnings from law enforcement seriously, especially if they suspect their children are being radicalized. "Those are warnings that ought to be heeded," he advised, emphasizing the critical role of community vigilance in preventing such threats.