MINNEAPOLIS — Federal authorities announced Wednesday that they have thwarted a planned terrorist attack on the Mall of America following the arrest of an 18-year-old local resident. The suspect, identified as Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon in a public park after allegedly attempting to purchase a high-powered firearm and ammunition from an undercover agent.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen confirmed that the arrest was the culmination of a nearly two-year-long federal investigation. According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Mohamud had been under persistent surveillance after authorities intercepted messages detailing his desire to carry out a violent strike against civilians.
Throughout the course of the investigation, Mohamud communicated extensively with a confidential FBI informant. In these exchanges, according to court documents, the teenager repeatedly affirmed his intent to commit mass violence, specifically stating his goal to kill non-Muslims. The investigation focused on his radicalization and his active search for the means to execute an attack on the iconic shopping complex, which remains one of the largest tourist destinations in the United States.
The operation reached a critical point this week when Mohamud met with an undercover FBI employee posing as a supporter of the Islamic State (ISIS). During the sting operation, Mohamud provided $600 in exchange for what he believed to be an AK-47 assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition. Agents moved in to arrest him immediately after the transaction was completed, preventing the weapon from entering public space.
“The FBI’s intervention in this case reflects our commitment to disrupting threats before they can materialize into tragedy,” a federal spokesperson stated during the press briefing.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the Twin Cities community, where the Mall of America serves as a major hub for employment and tourism. Security measures at the facility are expected to remain elevated as investigators continue to comb through the digital evidence recovered during the long-term probe.
As of Wednesday afternoon, it was not immediately clear if Mohamud had retained legal counsel. He is currently being held in federal custody and is expected to face charges related to providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and attempting to commit an act of domestic terrorism.
The successful sting operation highlights the ongoing vigilance of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which has been monitoring a rise in homegrown extremism among younger individuals. Federal prosecutors indicated that the investigation into Mohamud’s associates, if any, is ongoing. No further information regarding his background or potential prior indicators of violence was released at this time.
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