Source: Fortune.com
Summary
The FBI stopped an alleged terror attack by an 18-year-old at the Mall of America after supplying him with an assault rifle through an undercover operation, authorities said. The teen, Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, had been under investigation for two years and communicated with an informant about planning to kill non-Muslims at the mall during a Hmong arts event. He paid $600 for an AK-47 and ammunition from an FBI agent posing as an ISIS member. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen called the case a successful disruption of a potential mass shooting.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
FBI agents supplied a teen with a rifle and ammo before arresting him.
Mohamud had been under investigation for two years.
He expressed intent to kill 30 to 60 people at the mall.
The case highlights the risks of radicalization and law enforcement’s role in prevention.
Author: Evan Null
Background on the Teen
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud is an American-born U.S. citizen of Somali descent. He was 18 years old at the time of his arrest. His case is part of a broader pattern of individuals from the Somali community in Minnesota being linked to extremist activities.
Timeline of the Investigation
Mohamud first came to the FBI’s attention in December 2024. He began exchanging messages with a confidential informant that month. By May 2025, agents were concerned enough to visit his home, but his parents were uncooperative.
Details of the Alleged Plot
In text messages, Mohamud repeatedly stated his intent to attack the Mall of America during a Hmong arts celebration on October 24. He expressed admiration for recent terror attacks and considered traveling to Somalia to join ISIS but decided against it due to financial constraints.
FBI Operation
The FBI supplied Mohamud with an AK-47 and 200 rounds of ammunition through an undercover agent posing as an ISIS member. He paid $600 for the weapons and was arrested in a public park in Richfield, several miles from the mall.
Community and Legal Context
Minnesota has a large Somali population, with many families arriving as refugees in the 1990s. Over the years, several individuals from this community have been charged with attempting to join ISIS or other terror groups. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen urged parents to take federal warnings about radicalization seriously.
