A would-be terrorist was arrested in Canada on Wednesday for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a New York City Jewish center in support of ISIS.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, a Pakistani national living in Canada who is also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was charged with conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
“The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jews in the United States nearly a year after the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the outstanding work our team and partners did to disrupt Khan's plot.”
Khan was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a material support of terrorism charge issued by the Southern District of New York.
“As alleged, Khan traveled to the United States to carry out a terrorist attack and attempt to kill as many Jewish people as possible, all in support of ISIS,” US Attorney Damien Williams said in a statement. “Khan's crimes are a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant in the fight against anti-Semitism and terrorism.”
Experts warn Iran could have nuclear bomb before next president takes office
FBI Director Christopher Wray said the investigation is being led by the FBI. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via Reuters)
Williams added, “Thanks to our law enforcement partners and the expert prosecutors in my office, Khan's plans were thwarted before he reached the United States. Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to bring harm to our communities: this office will use any means necessary to root you out and bring you to justice.”
The Justice Department said in a news release that Khan began using encrypted messaging apps to plan the Brooklyn attack and distribute pro-ISIS propaganda, videos and documents beginning in November.
He soon began communicating with two undercover agents without their knowledge, informing them that he and his associates in the U.S. wanted to create a “real offline cell” of ISIS sympathizers to carry out “coordinated attacks” using AR-type assault rifles and that they planned to “target Chabad of Israeli Jews scattered throughout” unnamed cities outside of New York.
A masked Islamic State soldier poses with an ISIS flag in 2015. (Photo by History/Universal Image Group via Getty Images)
He allegedly instructed undercover agents to stockpile AR-style guns, ammunition and other supplies for urban attacks, naming specific locations where the shootings would take place.
He later told officers to “have some good hunting too.” [knives] Then we can slit their throats.”
Israeli consulate shooter killed by German police on anniversary of Munich Olympics massacre
“October 7 and October 11 are the best days to target Jews,” Khan reportedly told officers, “because October 7 will definitely have protests and October 11 is Yom Kippur.”
Around August 20, Khan named specific Jewish centers and said he wanted to attack Brooklyn, New York instead.
“New York is a great place to target Jews,” because New York “has the largest Jewish population in America,” “even if[n] event[,] “We can easily round up a lot of Jews,” Khan reportedly said, adding, “We will go to New York to massacre them.”
He added in one communication: “If our plans are successful, this will be the largest attack on the US mainland since 9/11.”
“Terrorism has no place in our society,” Special Agent in Charge Ron Kisan of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force said in a social media video update, adding that “this incident underscores the determination of New York City's Joint Terrorism Task Force to continue to work aggressively to disrupt plots before they are carried out.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said Khan planned the attack near Oct. 7, the first anniversary of Hamas's first random attack on Israel, “with the explicit goal of massacring as many Jews as possible in the name of ISIS.”
US military steps up anti-ISIS operations in Syria, arrests senior terrorist
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said Khan planned the attack near Oct. 7, the first anniversary of Hamas's first random attack on Israel, “with the explicit goal of massacring as many Jews as possible in the name of ISIS.” (Sha Hanting/China Newspaper/VCG via Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
“Like any other community in our nation, the Jewish community should not need to fear that it will be the target of a hate-motivated terrorist attack,” Garland said. “The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners to aggressively counter the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations and their supporters.”
