U.S. federal authorities say they arrested a Minnesota resident suspected of planning an attack on the Mall of America and supporting ISIS. The allegations are based on court filings and have not been proven in court.
According to a federal complaint, Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud bought an AK-47-style rifle, four magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI employee. The Associated Press reported he paid $600. He was arrested Tuesday in Richfield after leaving the agent’s vehicle.
The complaint says Mohamud discussed buying two pistols in July and possibly going to the Mall of America or Valleyfair around Christmas. Investigators also cite messages in which he allegedly spoke of attacking people in the United States, as well as a video in which he pledged allegiance to ISIS.
Federal prosecutors say the allegations include knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition while believing they could be used to commit a felony and a federal terrorism offense. The complaint also alleges he sought to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. These claims are set out in court filings and have not been proved. No defense response was included in the published reports.
The Associated Press reported that the FBI had investigated Mohamud for nearly two years. Court filings also say he shared propaganda videos linked to ISIS and al-Shabaab. Both groups are designated terrorist organizations by the United States.