Terror Suspects Charged in Michigan
Federal authorities have charged two individuals in Michigan for an alleged terrorist plot related to ISIS that was aimed for Halloween.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated on Friday that they successfully halted a potential terrorist attack. The suspects, named Mohomed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, are outlined in a federal complaint that was made public on Saturday. They face charges of “receiving, transferring, and conspiring to transfer firearms and ammunition” with the knowledge that these items could be used for a federal terrorism crime.
On Monday, Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the incident as part of “a large-scale terrorist plot” connected to ISIS.
According to two law enforcement officials who asked to remain anonymous, the FBI took two men into custody on Friday and are questioning three other individuals aged 16 to 29 who might also be involved.
In private online conversations, the suspects, Ali and Mahmoud, referred to their intended Halloween attack as “Pumpkin Day.” Recently, they had visited a shooting range in Michigan, where they practiced their skills with hundreds of rounds from an AK-47.
Ali reportedly bought multiple rifles and shotguns, while Mahmoud prepared for the operation by acquiring a rifle, an optical sight, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition for his AR-15.
“According to the complaint, the subjects had several AR-15 rifles, tactical equipment, and detailed plans to execute attacks on U.S. soil,” Bondi shared on social media, commending the essential work of law enforcement in preventing the plot.
Investigators found that encrypted communications linked the group to ISIS sympathizers abroad. Discussions included possible travel to Syria or Turkey to join ISIS, though Ali and another suspect, referred to as “Person 1,” preferred to carry out an attack in the United States.
“Person 1 and ALI talked about ‘attacks’ planned for ‘Pumpkin’ (Halloween) or other dates based on approved surveillance,” the document indicated.
In an interaction on October 22, 2025, Ali mockingly stated, “I gotta take pumpkin seriously…” as per the report.
Amir Makled, a lawyer for one of the arrested individuals, expressed confidence that a thorough examination of the facts would reveal no actual plan for a mass attack, asserting that it was a group with an interest in firearms and that all weapons were legally obtained.
“This involved a small group without any ties to a terrorist organization or a coordinated attack,” he said.
Another attorney, Hussein Bazzi, who represents a different suspect, suggested that the term “Pumpkin Day” might have originated from misunderstood online gaming conversations.
