Former Michigan Guard Member Charged withISIS-Inspired Plot to Attack Army Base
A 19-year-old former Michigan Army National Guard member, Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, has been charged with plotting a mass shooting at a U.S. Army base in Warren, Michigan, on behalf of ISIS. The FBI foiled the attack after Said provided material support, including drone reconnaissance and weapon training, to undercover agents. The case highlights the ongoing threat of foreign terrorist organizations operating within the U.S., as Said communicated with an ISIS-linked user on Facebook and Telegram before the plot was uncovered.
According to the criminal complaint, Said began communicating with an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter, in June 2024. During their interactions, Said expressed his desire to engage in violent jihad, either by traveling to ISIS-held territories abroad or carrying out an attack in the U.S. The FBI executed a search of Said’s iPhone in July 2024, which revealed a Facebook message exchange with a user in the Palestinian territories, stating, “I want to go for Jihad,” and the other user replied, “Talk to me on Telegram.”
Said, who enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard in September 2022 and was discharged around December 2024, is now facing charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years per count if convicted. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation, with FBI Director Kash Patel praising the swift action that prevented the attack.
The case underscores the persistent threat of ISIS influence within the United States, particularly among individuals with military experience or connections. Said’s actions, including providing armor-piercing ammunition, training undercover agents on firearms, and planning the specifics of the attack, demonstrate the potential for domestic terrorism inspired by global extremist networks. Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of vigilance in preventing such threats, as the plot was uncovered due to the tireless efforts of agencies like the FBI and the Department of Justice.