A Somali-American boy arrested for a plot against the Mall of America

Minneapolis (Caasimada Online) — The United States government has charged an 18-year-old American-born male of Somali descent, who is accused of planning a large-scale attack on the Mall of America shopping center in Minnesota, claiming he supported the ISIS group.

Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly purchased an AK-47 rifle for $600, four magazines each holding 30 rounds, and nearly 200 rounds of ammunition, according to a federal complaint filed on Wednesday.

The person from whom he purchased the weapon was an undercover FBI agent working on the operation. The rifle given to Sheikhdoon had been rendered inoperable, but the ammunition was real, according to court documents.

The FBI apprehended Sheikhdoon shortly after he took possession of the weapon while he was in Richfield, just a few miles from the Mall of America.

Federal prosecutors have accused him of knowingly obtaining firearms and ammunition with reason to believe they would be used for a federal crime and an act of terrorism.

If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

“He was a young man who became radicalized, and he needed to be monitored,” said Daniel Rosen, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota.

Rosen stated that investigators were able to identify the threat and thwart it before the suspect could carry out his plan, which he said aimed to kill "approximately 30 to 60 people."

U.S. officials also stated that Sheikhdoon is a U.S. citizen born in that country, coming from a Somali family, and that the ongoing investigation indicates he was acting alone.

Trip to Somalia

The FBI began its investigation into Sheikhdoon in December 2024, according to the affidavit attached to the complaint.

Investigators reported that for nearly two years he exchanged hundreds of messages with a confidential informant working with the FBI, using platforms such as Telegram, Signal, Discord, TikTok, and others.

According to the complaint, Sheikhdoon initially discussed traveling abroad to join Al-Shabaab, the group affiliated with Al-Qaeda that has been fighting in Somalia for a long time.

He was accused of telling the informant that he wanted to go to Somalia and fight for the group, while at times also discussing the possibility of carrying out a large-scale attack in Minnesota if he was unable to leave the country.

Investigators noted that his conversations later increasingly shifted to ISIS, with him being accused of watching and spreading the group's propaganda, ultimately recording a video in which he claimed allegiance to ISIS and its leadership.

The court documents indicate that the planned trip abroad turned into one within the United States after Sheikhdoon stated that he did not have enough money to travel.

In July, the indictment stated, the informant told him that if he could not leave the country, he would "prepare here in the United States," while discussing the purchase of weapons and an attack on the Mall of America or the Valleyfair amusement park in Minnesota.

Officials stated that he ultimately made the Mall of America his target.

October 24

The indictment stated that Sheikhdoon later designated October 24 as the day he wanted to carry out the attack, while an art event was scheduled at the Mall of America hosted by the Hmong community.

It was reported that he sent the informant information about the event, expecting that many people would gather at the location.

The indictment also stated that he mentioned he chose the shopping center due to what he believed was a Jewish presence there.

At the end of September, investigators reported that the plan was becoming more detailed. When asked if the attack was real, Sheikhdoon was reported to have responded that he was "100% sure," while indicating that he was ready "mentally and physically."

Investigators then arranged for him to meet with an undercover FBI agent, whom Sheikhdoon believed was affiliated with ISIS and had the ability to provide weapons.

On October 6, surveillance teams tracked Sheikhdoon to the meeting location, where he was accused of providing $600 and taking possession of a firearm, cash, and ammunition.

During the recorded meeting, the indictment stated that he spoke about his support for ISIS and the plan he intended to use to attack the Mall of America.

Shortly after, the FBI arrested him.

“Instead of obtaining something to kill many Americans, the defendant found an FBI team waiting to arrest him,” said Christopher Dotson, head of the FBI office in Minneapolis.

He will remain in custody

Sheikhdoon appeared on Wednesday in a federal court located in St. Paul, facing Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright.

The court appointed a federal public defender and ordered that he remain in custody until October 19, at which time the court is expected to decide whether to continue holding him while the case is ongoing.

Federal officials have stated that there is currently no evidence indicating that the alleged plan was part of a broader network or that other individuals were directly involved.

The management of the Mall of America has stated that it has various levels of security and continuously works with local, state, and federal security agencies.

All charges against Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud are still in the pre-trial stage, and there is no court ruling establishing guilt.