Federal agents arrested Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, in Richfield, Minnesota, after prosecutors say he plotted a mass shooting at the Mall of America. The alleged target was the Hmong Arts Celebration on October 24, an event expected to draw hundreds of people. Authorities say the plan was inspired by ISIS and stopped just in time.
Investigators say Mohamud bought an AK-47-style rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI employee on October 6. He was taken into custody immediately after leaving the meeting. Prosecutors believe he intended to use the weapon to kill dozens of people inside the mall.
The FBI began tracking Mohamud in December 2024 after a source reported his interest in either joining terrorist groups overseas or carrying out an attack in the U.S. Over months of conversations, he allegedly spoke about martyrdom and killing. In one exchange, he wrote about wanting to “start killing a bunch of white ppl.”
By late 2025, Mohamud’s focus shifted to Minnesota. He allegedly told the source he could not afford to travel to Somalia, so he began planning an attack closer to home. Prosecutors say he chose the Mall of America because he believed it was owned by Jewish people and thought killing 30 people there would send a message.
Court documents say Mohamud cited past mass attacks as inspiration, including the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. He allegedly believed his own attack would discourage people from visiting the mall. By August, he was arranging to meet the source in person, sending photos of himself and agreeing to meet on October 6.
Authorities say the FBI provided him with the rifle and ammunition during that meeting. Agents arrested him right after the exchange. U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen said the arrest shows federal authorities acted before anyone was harmed. FBI Special Agent Christopher Dotson added that Mohamud’s communications revealed deep ideological hatred.
Mohamud faces a federal charge of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit terrorism. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The FBI says the nearly two-year investigation ended without casualties, and the public was never in immediate danger.
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