FBI arrests 18-year-old for plotting ISIS-inspired mass shooting at Mall of America

Key points

• Mohamud was arrested on October 6, 2026, after paying $600 for an AK-47, four magazines, and 200 rounds of ammunition in a controlled buy.
• Charging documents state he planned to attack the Mall of America on October 24 during a Hmong Arts Celebration, citing the large crowd.
• The FBI tracked Mohamud for nearly two years, beginning in December 2024, after he expressed a desire to join terrorist groups overseas.
• Mohamud cited the 2025 Bondi Beach attack in Australia as inspiration and expressed anti-Jewish and anti-non-Muslim sentiments in messages.
• He faces one count of receiving a firearm for use in a federal crime of terrorism and is detained pending a hearing on October 19.

Background

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, is one of the largest shopping centers in the world, attracting approximately 32 million visitors annually. The October 24 Hmong Arts Celebration was identified as a target date due to the expected large crowd. The 2025 Bondi Beach attack in Australia, which killed more than a dozen people, was cited by the suspect as inspiration. The FBI’s investigation began in December 2024, with attempts to interview Mohamud in May 2025, but his parents declined to cooperate. The suspect’s initial plans to travel to Somalia to join a terror organization failed, leading to a shift toward a domestic attack.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post and The Guardian emphasize the two-year duration of the FBI investigation and the controlled purchase of the AK-47. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul highlights the specific charges and the suspect’s messages expressing anti-Jewish and anti-non-Muslim sentiments, as well as the failed plans to travel to Somalia. All sources agree on the core facts of the arrest and the planned attack date, but FOX 9 provides more detail on the suspect’s messaging and the FBI’s timeline of attempts to interview him.

Why it matters

The case underscores the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism inspired by extremist ideologies and the importance of sustained law enforcement investigations. It also highlights the vulnerability of high-profile public spaces, such as the Mall of America, to potential attacks. The incident has prompted calls for a regional taskforce to address terrorism and violence in Minnesota.

What to watch

Mohamud is scheduled to return to court on October 19 for a preliminary hearing. The case will likely proceed to trial, where the federal charges of terrorism and weapons possession will be addressed. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office may continue to investigate related activities and potential connections to other extremist networks.