Hennepin County Jail Booking Photo
Published: October 20th 2026.
HENNEPIN COUNTY: - A 26-year-old Minneapolis man has been charged with a felony after allegedly threatening to bomb the Mall of America and multiple Minneapolis schools, while also making statements about assassinating the president of the United States, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.
Niman Ali Ahmed, born January 1, 2000, faces one felony count of threats of violence involving reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Ahmed is now in custody, following his earlier release from custody on October 13.
According to the criminal complaint, Minneapolis police responded to a bomb threat on October 11, 2026, after Ahmed allegedly called authorities and claimed he had manufactured multiple bombs inside his residence.
During the call, Ahmed allegedly stated that he intended to bomb the Mall of America in Bloomington and several schools in Minneapolis the following day. Prosecutors allege he claimed the planned attacks were retaliation for the killing of George Floyd.
Ahmed also allegedly told authorities that he was part of a group planning to carry out the attacks the following morning.
The complaint further alleges that Ahmed threatened to travel to Washington, D.C., to assassinate the president, claiming the United States had been his enemy since childhood. He also reportedly claimed to have been involved with a terrorist group in Ethiopia as a child.
When Minneapolis police arrived in the area of Ahmed's residence, officers contacted him by telephone. Ahmed allegedly told officers he was not home and stated, "you will not find us," before ending the call.
Officers subsequently contacted Ahmed's sister, who reportedly informed them that he was inside the residence.
Ahmed eventually exited the home and was detained by officers.
When questioned about the threats, Ahmed allegedly told investigators that a friend had instructed him to call 911 and make the statements. He also reportedly claimed to be involved in a GroupMe messaging group with individuals planning terrorist attacks at the Mall of America.
According to the complaint, Ahmed additionally told officers that he had demons telling him to do things.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Ahmed's residence. During the search, officers located electronic devices but did not discover any explosives, according to court documents.
Ahmed was released from custody on October 13. Prosecutors subsequently requested an arrest warrant, citing the severity of the alleged threats and concerns for public safety.
Ahmed is now in custody.
The criminal complaint does not establish that Ahmed possessed explosives or that any alleged group had the capability to carry out the threatened attacks.
Ahmed is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Hennepin County District Court Criminal Complaint, ICR No. 26295071. Current custody status provided separately.