US authorities have charged a man who allegedly planned a mass shooting at a major shopping mall in Minnesota.
The FBI arrested Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, after he bought an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from an undercover agent in a sting operation that foiled his apparent plot.
"This individual allegedly obtained a weapon he hoped to use in a mass casualty attack in support of ISIS, but this FBI arrested him and put a stop to his plans," said FBI Director Kash Patel.
US President Donald Trump praised the FBI for stopping a mass shooting plot, saying the agency “did a great job”.
Hailing from Richfield, Minnesota, the suspect allegedly intended to kill 30 to 60 people at the nearby Mall of America.
He is accused of sharing his intentions with an FBI source in hundreds of messages exchanged since 2024, including a selfie-style video.
The accused allegedly said he wanted to emulate attacks such as the 2016 Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Florida and the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting in Australia.
Said to have identified October 24 for a planned "Hmong Arts Celebration" at the mall, he is charged with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism.
