FBI Foils Alleged ISIS-Inspired Mass Shooting Plot at Mall of America, Arrests 18-Year-Old Minnesota Man

• by Shimanta Das
• October 9, 2026

The FBI has arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota man accused of plotting a mass shooting at the Mall of America in support of the Islamic State group. Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud of Richfield, Minnesota, was taken into custody on Tuesday after a nearly two-year investigation, according to court records unsealed Wednesday. He has been charged with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism.

The arrest followed a sting operation in which an undercover FBI agent allegedly sold Mohamud an AK-47 rifle, 200 rounds of ammunition, and magazines for $600. Authorities say Mohamud intended to use the weapon to attack a festival taking place at the Mall of America, a sprawling shopping complex near Minneapolis that draws millions of visitors annually. The FBI had been tracking Mohamud since December 2024, when a confidential source began exchanging messages with him about either traveling to Somalia to fight for al-Shabaab or carrying out a mass casualty attack in the United States.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the arrest, stating, “This individual allegedly obtained a weapon he hoped to use in a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS, but the FBI arrested him and put a stop to his plans.” The case highlights the ongoing threat of ISIS-inspired attacks and the critical role of undercover operations and confidential sources in preventing potential violence. Mohamud’s alleged plot targeted a busy public venue, underscoring the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying and intercepting such threats before they materialize.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Mohamud is expected to appear in court in the coming days. If convicted, he faces significant federal penalties. The arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and interagency cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. Authorities have not released further details about the alleged plot or any potential co-conspirators.