Islam in America > FBI arrest 18 y/o ISIS would-be massacrer for Mall of America plot

 

FBI arrests man, 18, in alleged Mall of America mass shooting plot for ISIS

By Katie Scott Global News

Posted October 8, 2026 7:52 am

4 min read

FBI agents arrested an 18-year-old man accused of plotting a terror attack on the Mall of America after monitoring him for nearly two years and supplying him with the AK-47 he planned to use, authorities said Wednesday.

The 18-year-old, identified as Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, of Richfield, Minn., had been on the FBI’s radar since December 2024, when he began trading hundreds of messages with a confidential informant through multiple social media and messaging applications, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint alleges that Mohamud said he initially expressed an interest in travelling to Somalia to fight for designated foreign terrorist organization al-Shabab militants.

As his plans to attack the mall solidified, the complaint says, agents sold him the gun and ammunition on Tuesday and arrested him on the spot after he paid US$600 to the undercover FBI employee posing as a member of the Islamic State group for the rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition.

Mohamud was charged by complaint with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism, U.S. Office of Public Affairs announced on Wednesday.

“This individual allegedly obtained a weapon he hoped to use in a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS, but this FBI arrested him and put a stop to his plans,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.

“Once again this FBI is moving more effectively than we ever have before at stopping terrorists before they can attack Americans – with over 1,100 individuals prevented from conducting attacks, over 4,000 foreign terrorist organization related disruptions and arrests, a 38% increase, and more,” Patel added.

“We will continue to use every resource we have to detect and prevent acts of terrorism and wipe out their networks all over the country,” Patel continued, adding, “Thank you to FBI Minneapolis who did an outstanding job in the investigation and likely saved lives.”

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said that Mohamud allegedly sought to carry out a “mass-casualty shooting at the Mall of America, expressing a desire to emulate some of the most horrific ISIS-inspired attacks in the United States, including the atrocities at Pulse Nightclub and 2025 New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.”

“The National Security Division will continue to work closely with the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force to track down and prosecute ISIS-inspired terrorists in the United States,” Eisenberg added.

According to the complaint, Mohamud allegedly stated many times that if he was unable to travel overseas because of a lack of funds, he planned to carry out a mass casualty event in Minnesota in support of ISIS on Oct. 24, the date of a scheduled arts celebration by the Hmong community, Minnesota’s largest Asian ethnic group.

“In July 2026, Mohamud sent messages discussing his intent to carry out a mass-casualty shooting attack at the Mall of America because he claimed it was owned by Jews. He wrote that wanted to kill 30 to 60 people so no one would go there,” the U.S. Office of Public Affairs said.

In August and September 2026, Mohamud continued to send messages discussing his intentions, including his plans to allegedly purchase a firearm and to recruit others to join him in committing the attack. Mohamud sent a selfie-style video of himself pledging allegiance to ISIS, according to the complaint, which included a screenshot of Mohamud’s video.

2:20FBI believe New Orleans attacker acted alone despite ISIS connection

When the informant asked if he was serious about committing the attack, Mohamud replied, “yes i am 100% sure,” the complaint said, and added: “I would have backed out by now if I wasn’t sure.”

During the sale of the firearm and ammunition, Mohamud “reaffirmed his plan to use the firearm and ammunition to shoot people at the Mall of America,” according to the complaint.

“As alleged in the criminal complaint, Mohamud took substantial steps to plot to murder innocent people in the name of ISIS,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota. “Such threats are taken seriously, and I commend the committed public servants of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI, and my office, who work every day to stop them.”

Mohamud made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright on Oct. 7.

He told the judge he did not have a job, own a house or a car or have any money in the bank. He was represented by Siri Carlson McDowell, a federal public defender.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ryan White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar for the District of Minnesota.

—With files from The Associated Press

Latin America Rising > Another Bolsonaro could win in Brazil; Mexico investigating Narco extermination site

 

Thousands protest Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, fearing far-right return

Thousands of people joined a student march in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to protest against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil's October 25 presidential runoff. Bolsonaro led Sunday's first-round vote, prompting demonstrators to rally behind incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and oppose the far right's return to power.

Thousands of people joined a student march Wednesday in downtown Rio de Janeiro to protest against election favorite Flavio Bolsonaro and the prospect of the far right's return to power in Brazil, as the campaign for a runoff election swung into action.

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, son of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, came out in front in Sunday's first-round election, sending shockwaves through Brazil's left which is scrambling to claw back votes ahead of an October 25 runoff.

READ MOREFlavio Bolsonaro: In the name of the father, sons, and holy ideology

With drums, fireworks, and spirited chants, thousands of students spilled into downtown Rio de Janeiro declaring "Never Again Bolsonaro" and calling for votes for leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"I'm here because I believe in democracy. Because I'm scared," said Alice Carneiro, 25, an administrator in maritime shipping, crying as she expressed fears about a possible backlash against her wife, who is transgender.

Protesters evoked life under Jair Bolsonaro, who was in office from 2019 to 2022 and is remembered for his government's handling of the Covid pandemic, which he dubbed a "little flu" and which claimed more than 700,000 lives in Brazil, the second-highest death toll in the world after the United States.

"I remember my family's lives being at risk during the pandemic... I remember the vaccine denial," said Carneiro.

The march was strikingly more crowded and animated than Lula's rally at the same spot on Friday before the election, after a campaign many had criticised as lackluster.

WATCH MOREBrazil 'has moved to the right progressively over the last two decades', expert says

Fears of social spending cuts 

Flavio Bolsonaro has vowed sweeping budget cuts, using a pair of scissors to echo the chainsaw of libertarian Argentine President Javier Milei, whose economic reforms he has praised.

Brazil is battling soaring public debt exacerbated by high interest rates, and the election result saw the Sao Paulo stock exchange rally to record highs.

Amid uncertainty over what cuts Flavio will make, protesters recalled those made by Jair Bolsonaro to federal universities, research scholarships and the government-subsidised Farmacia Popular program, which provides free or discounted medicines.

READ MOREHow Lula’s successes in Brazil may have paved the way for his presidential defeat

"It's pointless for me to pass the entrance exam only to end up at a university that lacks funding," said Emmanuel Araujo, 19, who is preparing to take university entrance exams and described the rise of the far-right as "very sad".

Iara Pinheiro, 16, who voted for the first time, carried a placard reading: "No to the father, no to the son." 

"I am a Black woman and I think we'll lose our rights if things continue the way they are and we elect Bolsonaro again. I think we will end up losing our democracy."

Some protesters expressed concern about Flavio Bolsonaro's plans to seek amnesty for his father, currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after his 2022 election loss.

"Granting amnesty for coups gives the green light for new coups," read another placard.

Several other pro-democracy rallies are planned in the coming days.

Campaign reset 

Both Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula are shaking up their campaigns to prepare for the runoff.

Flavio Bolsonaro has focused on building coalitions and doubled down on his plans to shrink the state and modernise the tax system. He also promised to use the right's new dominance in Congress to make constitutional reforms.

Lula, who at almost 81 years old is seeking a fourth term in office, has hit reset with a major focus on social media – where the right has long held the advantage – posting a video selfie on Wednesday for the first time.

READ MOREBrazil’s Lula gears up for ‘last dance’ with run for fourth presidential term

"Come on, folks, let's hit the streets; let's go talk to people," he said in the video posted to Instagram and TikTok.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

READ NEXT

The Debate

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Mexico sends forensic experts to alleged cartel 'extermination site'

By Macarena Hermosilla

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday the government has sent a specialized forensic team to reinforce search operations at a rural property in the western state of Nayarit. File Photo by Sashanka Gutierrez/EPA

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Mexican government has sent a specialized forensic team to reinforce search operations at a rural property in the western state of Nayarit, where state prosecutors reported discovering an alleged "extermination site" linked to organized crime.

During her morning news conference Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she instructed the Interior Ministry, through the National Search Commission, to contact state authorities and send experts to Nayarit.

"Until the Search Commission arrives and carries out its work, we cannot officially say what was found at this site," Sheinbaum said.

The Nayarit state prosecutor's office and groups of mothers searching for missing relatives reported Wednesday the discovery of an alleged "incineration and extermination site" in La Curva, a community in the municipality of Xalisco.

An anonymous tip led search groups and state prosecutors to the property, where authorities found clothing, a makeshift furnace, charred remains and a grave containing recently buried bodies, according to Mexican newspaper El Universal.

Criminals allegedly used a metal drum containing a mixture of diesel, gasoline and soap, with the soap intended to help the fuel adhere to skin and clothing. After burning the bodies, they allegedly dumped the charred remains into a nearby stream to destroy evidence.

The property, known as "El Dragón," is suspected of being linked to operations by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Forensic experts began formally processing the site Oct. 3, according to Mexican news outlets Aristegui Noticias and La Jornada.

Nayarit Attorney General Ludmila Heredia compared the alleged methods used at the property to those reported at Rancho Izaguirre in Teuchitlán, Jalisco. In March 2025, the Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco search collective discovered more than 1,300 pieces of evidence at the property, including hundreds of items of clothing, backpacks, shoes, altars dedicated to Santa Muerte (Saint Death) and notebooks containing lists of names and nicknames.

Federal authorities previously identified that compound as a site used by the CJNG for training, forced recruitment and extermination.

Given the scale of the discovery, experts from the National Search Commission will reinforce search operations, expedite the forensic examination of remains and coordinate assistance for groups representing families of missing people in the region.

The discovery in Nayarit also brought to light an alleged plot to attack Gov. Miguel Ángel Navarro and the state's attorney general.

According to Navarro, escalating violence and direct death threats followed the breakdown of previous collusive arrangements between local police and drug cartels.

Federal troops have been deployed across the municipality to protect forensic operations and prevent retaliation by criminal groups operating in the area through a violent network of competing local cells.

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Terrorism Around the World > Links to Iran growing in RAF Fairford terrorism plot - 2 Iran-linked suspects arrested; 2 young Brits hacked to death by psychopath

 

6th man arrested in RAF Fairford incident has Iranian citizenship

By Lisa Hornung

Police man a cordon outside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, Britain, on Monday. A sixth man was arrested Thursday in an alleged terror plot against the base. Photo by Neil Hall/EPA

Oct. 1 (UPI) -- British Counter Terrorism Policing announced Thursday that a sixth man was arrested in London on suspicion of planning an apparent terror attack at the Royal Air Force base in Fairford.

The 25-year-old man is a dual British-Iranian citizen, authorities said in an update.

Police have also carried out searches of two properties in the Gloucestershire, England, area where the RAF base is located.

"The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," said Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

"As we've made clear, we're looking at all possible angles -- including possible foreign state involvement."

Police initially reported that the man was 27, but later corrected his age.

The other five men arrested in connection with the incident earlier this week have been released on bail.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the incident was a foiled plot whose perpetrators are believed to have ties to Iran.

"There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford," he told the BBC.

Police found no explosive devices in three vans that were stopped near the base, which is used by the U.S. military to launch airstrikes on Iran, but gasoline was found.

Read More

• PM Andy Burnham: RAF base incident tied to Iran
• British suspects in incident at RAF Fairford released on police bail
• Police probe Iran link to terror plot against RAF base shared with U.S. military

7th terror suspect arrested in UK after incident at U.S. military base

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

Posted October 6, 2026 7:01 am

Updated October 6, 2026 7:03 am

2 min read

British police on Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old man in London on suspicion of a terror offence over a security incident at a U.S.-run military air base in England that authorities have linked to Iran.

The arrest is the seventh in connection with a suspected plot against RAF Fairford, located 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, which has been used by American bombers to strike Iran during this year’s war.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the man, a British national, was detained in the Westminster area of central London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

Six other men have been released on bail under investigation.

Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing said detectives “continue to pursue multiple lines of enquiry” and “remain committed to investigating all possible angles.”

Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes near the base early on Sept. 27 as armed police officers and army bomb-disposal experts swooped on the rural area. Police later said they had found a quantity of an accelerant — gasoline — in three vans linked to the five suspects, but no explosives.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the U.K. sees “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident, without saying why or what the nature of the suspected plot was.

Iran has denied involvement, but it has previously said it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.

The U.S. moved its B-52 and B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford on Sunday, though it’s unclear whether the move is connected to the arrests. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he didn’t want to tempt “the enemy” by having the bombers there.

“We had a threat, and if we’re going to be threatened, we would just move them, and that sort of alleviates that,” he said in Washington. He said that the people who made the threat “would be linked to Iran,” but he didn’t offer details.

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Two young Brits hacked to death in Nottingham, police screw it up completely

The English Crusader

@andrewc44104127

More two-tier injustice from the filthy police. Evil psychopath Valdo Calocaine who butchered two British kids wasn't tested for drugs or alcohol during his arrest. Desperate to find an excuse for him, his two victims were tested. During their autopsy. Sick. The police are not here to help. The police are behaving like Nazis

1:18 PM · Oct 7, 2026

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