Federal authorities have arrested an 18 year old Minnesota man accused of planning a mass casualty attack at the Mall of America in support of ISIS. Prosecutors say the suspect had been under investigation for nearly two years before being arrested immediately after obtaining a rifle and ammunition from undercover agents.
By Open Chronicle with agencies
The FBI has arrested an 18 year old man accused of preparing a mass casualty attack targeting the Mall of America in Minnesota, according to federal prosecutors.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was arrested on October 6 following a lengthy federal investigation into what authorities describe as an ISIS inspired plot.
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Dan Rosen announced the case on Wednesday, describing Mohamud as a radicalized young man who allegedly intended to carry out an attack at one of the country’s largest shopping and entertainment complexes.
Mohamud faces multiple federal charges, including attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Mohamud is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Investigation Lasted Nearly Two Years
According to authorities, Mohamud had been under investigation for almost two years before his arrest.
During that period, investigators say he exchanged messages with a confidential informant.
The investigation eventually developed into an undercover operation as federal authorities monitored what prosecutors allege were increasingly concrete preparations for violence.
Authorities say the operation culminated on October 6, when undercover agents sold Mohamud a rifle and ammunition.
He was arrested immediately afterward.
The circumstances surrounding the controlled transaction allowed investigators to intervene before the alleged attack could take place.
Prosecutors Say Mall of America Was the Target
Federal prosecutors allege that Mohamud intended to attack the Mall of America.
Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, the complex attracts large numbers of visitors and contains hundreds of stores alongside entertainment facilities.
According to Rosen, Mohamud allegedly discussed causing mass casualties at the location.
Prosecutors say he intended to kill at least 30 to 60 people.
That figure represents the government’s allegation concerning the suspected plot rather than an event that occurred. Authorities intervened before any attack was carried out.
Authorities Describe ISIS Motivation
Federal officials allege that the planned violence was connected to support for ISIS, the terrorist organization also known as Islamic State.
One of the charges against Mohamud is attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The charge places the case within the federal counterterrorism framework used to investigate individuals suspected of assisting or acting in support of organizations formally designated as terrorist groups by the United States.
Authorities characterized the investigation as involving both law enforcement and intelligence capabilities.
FBI Operation Ends With Arrest
Rosen said the arrest represented the culmination of an extensive federal operation.
He said the case demonstrated the role of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies in identifying potential threats before attacks occur.
The nearly two year investigation also illustrates the lengthy surveillance that can precede arrests in terrorism related cases.
Confidential informants and undercover operations can allow investigators to observe whether expressions of extremist intent develop into concrete preparations for violence.
In this case, according to prosecutors, investigators ultimately allowed the suspect to proceed far enough in the alleged preparations to obtain a firearm and ammunition through the controlled undercover operation.
The FBI then arrested him.
Material Support Charge Could Become Central to the Case
Among the charges facing Mohamud is attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
Federal material support laws are an important component of American terrorism prosecutions because they allow authorities to bring cases involving alleged assistance to designated organizations without waiting for a planned violent act to occur.
The government will now have to establish its allegations through the judicial process.
Evidence gathered during the investigation, including communications involving the confidential informant and events surrounding the undercover firearm transaction, is likely to form an important part of the prosecution’s case.
Mohamud will have the opportunity to challenge the government’s allegations and evidence in court.
Attack Was Prevented Before It Could Occur
The most important immediate outcome of the operation is that the alleged attack did not take place.
No mass casualty incident occurred at the Mall of America as part of the alleged plot described by prosecutors.
Instead, federal authorities say they intervened after a prolonged investigation and arrested the suspect following the controlled transfer of the weapon and ammunition.
The case will now move from an intelligence and law enforcement operation into the federal court system, where prosecutors will be required to prove the charges against Mohamud beyond a reasonable doubt.
Until that process is completed, the accusations remain allegations.