Federal authorities arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota man accused of pledging allegiance to ISIS and discussing a mass shooting at the Mall of America, according to newly filed federal court documents, as reported by Fox News.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was taken into custody after allegedly buying an AK-47-style rifle, magazines, and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee. Investigators said he intended to use the weapon in support of ISIS.

U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Dan Rosen says the FBI has arrested and charged 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud for planning a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS at the Mall of America https://t.co/MyMZa6NMCo

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 7, 2026

According to an affidavit filed in federal court in Minnesota, Mohamud spent months discussing his desire to carry out an attack. An FBI confidential source communicated extensively with him through encrypted messaging and social media platforms.

In September, Mohamud allegedly told the source, "I can’t wait until I kill kuffar man. October 24 is the day insha Allah," according to the affidavit.

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When the confidential source later asked why he selected Oct. 24, Mohamud allegedly pointed to a "Hmong Arts Celebration" at the Mall of America. He said the event would have "a lot of people," the affidavit states.

Christopher Dotson, special agent in charge of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, described the alleged weapons purchase during a Wednesday press conference.

"Muhammad met with someone he believed to be a loyal member of ISIS to attempt to purchase an AK-47 rifle, knowing it would be used in a felony or federal crime of terrorism," Dotson said.

"Mohammed planned to use the gun he bought in a high-traffic public area just a few weeks' time in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization."

The FBI just foiled a terror plot by a Somali to carry out an ISIS attack on the Mall of America.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud stated that his goal was to murder 60+ Non Muslims Minnesota has imported hundreds of thousands of Somalis who hate us. These people are not compatible with western civilization. We are now seeing the consequences. — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 7, 2026

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Mohamud is charged with knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition while knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that they would be used to commit a felony and federal crime of terrorism.

FBI Director Patel told Fox News Digital that the suspect "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."

"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 said.

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. Thank you to FBI Minneapolis, who did an outstanding job in the investigation and likely saved lives."

ANOTHER ISIS-INSPIRED MASS CASUALTY PLOT STOPPED.

Today the FBI arrested an individual who allegedly obtained a weapon to carry out an attack in support of ISIS. This FBI is finding terrorists BEFORE they can attack Americans — and we will keep using every resource we have to dismantle their networks across this country. Outstanding work by @FBIMinneapolis. They likely saved lives. — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 7, 2026

The arrest concluded an FBI investigation that began around December 2024. Investigators said the confidential human source eventually became involved and exchanged extensive communications with Mohamud.

Those early conversations focused on Mohamud allegedly wanting to leave the United States and join al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization based in Somalia. In May, he allegedly said he was "so excited to make hijrah."

According to the affidavit, Mohamud also said he wanted to travel to Somalia, get married and "fight the enemies of Allah." He allegedly planned to work for about six weeks and save $2,000 for a plane ticket.

By July, however, investigators said Mohamud’s plans had shifted because he lacked enough money to travel to Somalia. He allegedly told the source, "so i will do attack here."

Mohamud later discussed buying two pistols online and targeting either the Mall of America or the Minnesota State Fair around Christmas, according to the affidavit.

Authorities ultimately moved in after the alleged purchase of the AK-47 style rifle, magazines and ammunition. The FBI said the intervention stopped a suspected mass casualty plot before an attack could be carried out.

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