MINNEAPOLIS — The FBI arrested an 18-year-old Minnesota man this week who authorities say plotted to carry out a mass shooting at the Mall of America in support of the Islamic State, buying an AK-47 and ammunition from an undercover agent before the attack could be launched.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud of Richfield was arrested Oct. 6 after purchasing the rifle, about 200 rounds of ammunition and four 30-round magazines for $600 from an undercover FBI employee, according to federal officials. He was charged Oct. 7 with receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal terrorism crime.
Authorities say Mohamud pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to kill 30 to 60 people at the Mall of America in Bloomington — the country’s largest shopping mall — around Oct. 24, targeting a Hmong arts event. Officials said he also told contacts he believed the mall was Jewish-owned.
The investigation began in December 2024, according to officials. Mohamud made his initial appearance in federal court in St. Paul on Oct. 7 and remains jailed pending a detention hearing on Oct. 19.
As with all indictments, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
