Former Michigan Army National Guard Member Charged with Plotting ISIS-Sponsored Mass Shooting at Military Base
A former member of the Michigan Army National Guard, Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, has been arrested and charged with plotting a mass shooting at a U.S. military base on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS), according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. The plot, which was foiled by federal law enforcement, involved Said preparing to carry out an attack on the Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility in Warren, Michigan, an important military installation.
Said was taken into custody on Tuesday, following the discovery of his intent to launch a drone against the military facility. During his interactions with an undercover FBI agent, Said allegedly expressed his intent to conduct a violent attack, with the goal of harming U.S. soldiers and civilians. He reportedly told the agent that individuals should be prepared to have multiple magazines on hand for a confrontation, indicating his plans to ensure a violent and deadly outcome.
The federal complaint details that Said began communicating with an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter, in June 2024. During this time, he allegedly described his desire to engage in violent jihad, either by traveling to an ISIS-held territory abroad or by carrying out an attack in the United States. He also provided materials for the attack, including armor-piercing ammunition and training for the undercover agents on firearms and the construction of Molotov cocktails. In addition, he used his drone to conduct reconnaissance over the TACOM facility, demonstrating the technological means he used to plan the attack.
Court documents reveal that Said enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard in September 2022 and completed basic training at Fort Moore in Georgia. After his initial training, he reported to the Michigan Army National Guard Taylor Armory before being discharged in December 2024. This timeline suggests that he had access to military equipment, which he exploited for a potential attack on a military installation.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation into the case, which has highlighted the growing risk of domestic extremism linked to global terrorist groups. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the efforts of the agents involved, stating that their quick action prevented a potential loss of life. Said now faces charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device, with a maximum penalty of 20 years per count if convicted.
During the course of the investigation, FBI agents executed a search of Said’s iPhone, which he had provided to the Michigan Army National Guard before boarding a military aircraft. The search revealed a Facebook message exchange (in Arabic) with a user located in the Palestinian territories, where Said expressed his intent to engage in jihad, and the user directed him to communicate further on Telegram, an encrypted messaging service. Agents also found evidence indicating that Said was a member of multiple Islamic extremist channels in the Telegram app, which contained ISIS-related content, including images and videos with ISIS flags.
This case underscores the complex and evolving nature of domestic terrorism, particularly in the context of foreign extremist groups attempting to exploit U.S. soil for their goals. The Justice Department emphasized that the attack was thwarted due to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of continuing to monitor and disrupt such threats to national security.
As the case moves forward, it may serve as a significant example of how intelligence and counterterrorism efforts can prevent devastating attacks. The FBI’s success in this instance is a testament to the effectiveness of interagency collaboration and the importance of maintaining a vigilant approach to national security in the face of emerging threats.