Minnesota man arrested after FBI alleges Mall of America attack plot
Federal officials announced a ‘significant counterterrorism’ action in Minnesota
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Quick Read
Federal law enforcement officials announced what they describe as a “significant counterterrorism law enforcement action” Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Prosecutors say Twin Cities resident Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, was arrested after allegedly attempting to acquire an AK-47-style rifle, magazines and ammunition as part of a planned attack at the Mall of America.
Investigators say suspect discussed ISIS support and attack plans for months
According to U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen, Mohamud was arrested Tuesday after a controlled undercover operation in Richfield. Investigators allege Mohamud expressed support for ISIS and discussed plans for a mass-casualty attack at the Bloomington shopping center.
Rosen said Mohamud was planning an attack at the Mall of America later this month with the intent to kill between 30 and 60 people.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said Mohamud was “100-percent committed” to the alleged plot.
Dotson said Mohamud could not travel abroad to fight for ISIS, so he wanted to fight here in Minnesota.
According to the federal complaint:
The FBI has been investigating Mohamud since December 2024. For nearly two years, Mohamud and a confidential source exchanged hundreds of messages through various social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps. In those messages, Mohamud allegedly said he wanted to travel to Somalia, join a foreign terrorist organization and fight or commit a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota on its behalf.
In July 2026, Mohamud told the confidential source that he did not have enough money to travel to Somalia, so he said he will do the attack here. “I will prepare here in America,” he wrote.
Mohamud told the source he would purchase two pistols and go to Valley Fair or the Mall of America during Christmastime. He further said he wanted to attack the shopping center because he believed it was owned by Jewish people and if a shooting occurred there, people would no longer shop there.
Complaint alleges Mall of America and Hmong Arts Celebration were potential targets
One date mentioned as a possible time for the attack was Oct. 24, when the Hmong Arts Celebration would take place at the Mall of America and there “will be a lot of people,” Mohamud told the confidential source.
FBI arrested suspect after undercover firearms transaction in Richfield
The FBI alleges that on Tuesday, Mohamud acquired a firearm and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover agent in the parking lot of a public park in Richfield. Shortly after taking possession of the firearm and ammunition and leaving the vehicle, Mohamud was arrested at gunpoint by the FBI.
“Anyone heading down the pathway of violence should know when the FBI receives credible evidence indicating someone is seeking means to carry out a violent attack, we act to disrupt the threat immediately and protect innocent lives,” Dotson said Wednesday.
Ahead of Mohamud's initial appearance in federal court, a woman waiting outside the courtroom told MPR News she is his mother but declined to say more. He was scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m.
This is a developing story. More reporting to come.
