On Monday, November 3, federal prosecutors in Michigan formally charged two men from the Detroit metropolitan area with allegedly conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack over Halloween weekend that was influenced by ISIS.
The defendants, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, face federal charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorism by transferring firearms and ammunition to terrorist activities.
According to sworn statements and criminal complaints from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the conspiracy involved at least five individuals, including one minor, who used encrypted messaging platforms to share extremist content and incite attacks.
The suspects were reported to have conducted reconnaissance of potential targets in Ferndale, Michigan. Media reports indicated that the target location was an area known for its LGBTQ+ community.
In recent months, Ali and Mahmoud purchased various high-powered weapons, including AR-15 rifles, shotguns, handguns, optical scopes, GoPro cameras, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition. They practiced shooting at a firing range and acquired bulletproof vests and firearm accessories.
Additional tactical equipment was found in a storage unit rented by Ali.
The sworn statements revealed their plan to carry out the attack on October 31 (Halloween) or around that date.
Officials disclosed that this conspiracy may have been influenced by the arrest earlier in May of a former Michigan National Guard member for plotting an ISIS attack.
On the Friday before the planned attack (October 31), FBI conducted raids in Dearborn and Inkster in Wayne County, and detained several individuals.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media that the authorities had successfully thwarted a “potential terror attack” over Halloween weekend through swift action.
Ali and Mahmoud have not pleaded guilty in court. Ali’s defense lawyer strongly denied the existence of a terror plot, claiming his client is just a regular gun enthusiast and gamer.