The FBI has thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired mass shooting plot that could have occurred on Halloween in a Detroit suburb, according to an FBI affidavit. Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, both from Michigan, have been charged with receiving and transferring firearms with the intent of using them for terrorist activities. The alleged plot, termed ‘pumpkin,’ was to involve a coordinated attack on Halloween, with the participants allegedly planning to mimic the 2015 ISIS attacks in France.
The FBI conducted searches of the suspects’ homes and a nearby storage unit, seizing an arsenal of firearms, including three AR-15-style rifles, two shotguns, and four pistols, along with over 1,600 rounds of ammunition. Other evidence recovered included GoPro cameras, tactical vests, and other gear typically associated with paramilitary activities. The suspects practiced shooting at local gun ranges, with Ali and Mahmoud regularly practicing together, and once with an unnamed co-conspirator. One of the co-conspirators, a juvenile referred to as ‘Person 1,’ allegedly insisted the attack should occur on Halloween rather than a later date.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the agency’s swift action, stating that the investigation likely saved many lives. The plot allegedly involved multiple unnamed co-conspirators, some of whom were under the age of 21, an unusual age for planning such an attack. The suspects also reportedly scouted potential locations in Ferndale, a Detroit suburb known for its diverse and vibrant cultural scene, raising suspicions due to the young age of the alleged perpetrators.
The complaint mentions that one of the suspects, who was arrested on Friday, claimed to The Associated Press that he had no knowledge of the plot and was surprised by the charges. The suspects reportedly communicated via social media, sharing Islamic extremist content and even consulting with the father of a local Islamic extremist ideologue for advice on executing the attack. Despite the apparent preparations, the FBI’s intervention ensured the plot never reached the stage of execution.
Ali and Mahmoud were legally permitted to purchase firearms, and the investigation uncovered detailed records of their gun purchases, including modifications and shipments to Mahmoud. This suggests a level of planning and coordination that the FBI had successfully interrupted. The case highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISIS, which, despite a military defeat in 2019, continues to operate as a terror network through the internet and social media platforms.