FBI thwarts mass shooting at US mall: 'Thought the owner was Jewish'

The FBI arrested an 18-year-old from Minnesota who planned a mass shooting at the Mall of America, the largest mall in the US. The suspect, who expressed support for ISIS, chose the target because he believed its owners were Jewish and planned to kill 30-60 people at a cultural event on October 24. He was arrested after purchasing an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent.

The FBI arrested an 18-year-old from Minnesota last Tuesday on suspicion of planning a mass shooting at the Mall of America, the largest mall in the United States. According to court documents, the suspect, Sheikhdon Abdullahi Mohamed, planned to kill between 30 and 60 people during a Hmong community cultural event scheduled at the mall on October 24. Mohamed chose the target because he believed its owners were Jewish and sought to carry out the attack inspired by the terrorist organization ISIS. He communicated with an undercover FBI agent on multiple platforms, expressing a desire to join ISIS or Al-Shabaab, and said that if he could not leave the US, he intended to carry out a mass shooting on its soil. On Tuesday, he purchased an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, and 200 rounds of ammunition from the FBI agent for $600, and was arrested immediately afterward. He was charged with receiving weapons and ammunition for the purpose of committing an act of terrorism. The mall, which includes over 500 stores, an amusement park, and an aquarium, is considered one of the most prominent shopping and tourism centers in the US.