Planned gun attack on America's largest mall thwarted 'after teen bought assault rifle'

An 18-year-old American citizen, Sheikhdoon Mohamud, has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America in Minnesota. According to court documents unsealed on Wednesday, Mohamud was under FBI investigation since December 2024 after a confidential source began exchanging messages with him about either traveling to Somalia to join al-Shabaab or carrying out a mass casualty attack in the US.

Over time, Mohamud allegedly shifted his focus from fighting overseas to carrying out an attack within the US, with the Mall of America emerging as his target. He was reportedly inspired by attacks in New Orleans and Orlando, as well as Omar Mateen's 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting. Mohamud allegedly planned to attack the Mall of America on October 24, targeting a Hmong Arts Celebration festival.

On October 6, an undercover FBI agent met with Mohamud to facilitate the purchase of an AK-47 and 200 rounds of ammunition, which were handed to him during a meeting on the 24th. Mohamud expressed his belief that the Mall of America was owned by Jews and his anger over the treatment of Muslims following the San Diego Islamic Center attack. The FBI stated Mohamud was "100% committed" to carrying out the attack.

U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen emphasized the operation's success, stating that federal law enforcement disrupted the threat before Mohamud could carry out his plans.