Alleged Mall of America attack plot details 'chilling' messages, support for ISIS

Federal prosecutors say 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud planned to commit a mass shooting at the Mall of America. They arrested him earlier this week after he purchased weapons allegedly to carry out the plot.

According to the charges, Mohamud was still in high school when he started messaging an unidentified person, saying he supported the terrorist group ISIS. The FBI tracked those messages for almost two years. Eventually, Mohamud said he wanted to commit an attack in Minnesota at the Mall of America.

Christopher Dotson is a special agent running the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. He called those messages “chilling.”

“They document the idolization of ideologically motivated violence, a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life, a blind hatred of people of other faiths, and a cold commitment to carrying out his vision of violence in our community,” he said.

Mohamud allegedly arranged to buy a gun and ammunition earlier this week in Richfield. The person selling the gun was actually an undercover agent. Mohamud was arrested at that sale.

In a statement, Mall of America leaders called the news unsettling.

“The safety and security of everyone who visits and works at Mall of America has always been our highest priority. We maintain multiple layers of security, both visible and behind the scenes, and will continue to work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

Somali community reacts to allegations

Some leaders in the Somali community said they’re also unsettled by the news. Mohamud was born in the U.S., and prosecutors identified him as Somali American.

Local Imam Yusuf Abdulle is the director of the Islamic Association of North America. He works with kids and tries to keep them out of violence. He said that takes work from community leaders and law enforcement.

“The best solution is to be connected to the community and to make sure that we account for our youth,” he said.

The charges come as some Twin Cities elected officials call for more intervention in youth violence in the Somali community after a shooting in Eden Prairie last week.

Prosecutors say Mohamud was not involved in gang activity. But Abdulle says he worries the news will fuel further hate toward the whole Somali community and further agitate young people.

“When you alienate the young ones in a way that is singling them out and saying, you know, they're Somalis, Muslim terrorists, they're this and that, insulting them, especially from some political leaders who are trying to get some political goals, you create more problems,” he said.

Mohamud appeared in court Wednesday and is due for another hearing later this month.

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