18-Year-Old Allegedly Plots Terror Attack at Mall of America

In a disturbing turn of events, an 18-year-old man named Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud has reportedly been charged with plotting a terrorist attack at the Mall of America. Authorities said he had allegedly arranged to pay $600 for an AK-47 and 200 rounds of ammunition before his arrest by FBI agents.

Mohamud’s plans to target non-Muslims had been under scrutiny for two years, as disclosed by U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen. According to Rosen, “This was a radicalized young man who needed to be watched.” Interestingly, Mohamud believed he was buying these weapons from an ISIS member, though the seller turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.

The investigation gathered evidence including messages in which Mohamud discussed his mission with an FBI informant. He was taken into custody on Tuesday after the alleged purchase, which was preceded by law enforcement making the AK-47 inoperable prior to the transaction.

During the sale, Mohamud reportedly reiterated his intention to commit a shooting at the mall, planning the act for October 24, coinciding with an arts celebration for the Hmong community, an ethnic group with roots in China and Southeast Asia. He also claimed to have chosen this location because he believed it was Jewish-owned.

Mohamud, described as a Somali-American, had indicated in the messages obtained by the FBI that he had aspirations to travel to Somalia to join ISIS. However, due to financial constraints, he opted to execute the mall attack instead. He reportedly aimed to kill between 30 and 60 people and expressed a desire for martyrdom.

He has been charged with receiving a firearm and ammunition knowingly with the intent to commit a federal crime of terrorism. In response to his arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel shared on social media a statement praising the operation, stating that they “arrested [him] before he could hurt a single American.” He emphasized that the FBI does not wait for terrorist acts to take place, but rather works proactively to disrupt them.

The FBI had been monitoring Mohamud since December 2024 and had even reached out to his parents regarding concerns over his radicalization. Rosen advised parents to take any warnings, especially from federal law enforcement, seriously.

Booking records show that Mohamud is 5’11” and weighs 120 pounds.