Twin Cities Man Arrested, Accused of Plotting ISIS-Inspired Mass-Casualty Attack at Mall of America
Published: October 7th 2026.
BLOOMINGTON MN: An 18-year-old Twin Cities man has been arrested after federal authorities allege he was planning a mass-casualty shooting at the Mall of America later this month in support of ISIS.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud is accused of planning to carry out the attack on Oct. 24 during the Hmong Arts Celebration at the Mall of America in Bloomington. According to allegations detailed in a federal criminal complaint, Mohamud told an FBI informant that he wanted to kill at least 30 people during the attack, including Asian people and other non-Muslims.
Federal authorities allege Mohamud had been communicating with an FBI informant through encrypted messages and discussing plans for an attack.
Authorities arrested Mohamud on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at a park in Richfield, where he allegedly believed he was meeting with the informant to purchase an AK-47-style rifle and ammunition.
According to the complaint, Mohamud intended to purchase the rifle along with ammunition. Instead, the meeting resulted in his arrest by authorities.
The alleged target was the Mall of America, one of Minnesota's largest and busiest public destinations. Authorities allege Mohamud specifically selected Oct. 24, when the mall was scheduled to host the Hmong Arts Celebration.
Mohamud is currently being held at the Sherburne County Jail as the federal case moves forward.
The allegations against Mohamud are contained in a criminal complaint and have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.