BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA — Federal authorities say they stopped an alleged ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America, a popular Twin Cities shopping destination for Northern Iowans, arresting an 18-year-old Richfield man who investigators say hoped to kill 30 to 60 people.
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, was arrested October 6, 2026, after allegedly buying an inoperable AK-47-style rifle and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee. The Justice Department announced the federal charge October 7. Prosecutors say Mohamud had selected October 24, when a Hmong Arts Celebration was scheduled at the Bloomington shopping complex, for his attack.
No shooting took place, and authorities say the alleged plot was disrupted before anyone was injured. The case is particularly relevant to residents of Mason City, Clear Lake and surrounding Northern Iowa communities who regularly visit Minneapolis–St. Paul for shopping, sports and family travel.
Prosecutors allege plan to kill up to 60 people
According to federal investigators, Mohamud discussed an attack intended to kill dozens of people, including non-Muslims, in support of ISIS. Prosecutors allege he targeted the Mall of America because of its crowds and because he mistakenly believed it was Jewish-owned.
Investigators say Mohamud pointed to a planned Hmong Arts Celebration on October 24 as an opportunity to carry out the attack. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said agents stopped the suspect before he could carry out his alleged intention to kill perhaps 30 to 60 people.
Undercover FBI operation ended with arrest
Federal investigators had been monitoring Mohamud since December 2024, according to accounts of the criminal complaint. Investigators say he initially discussed traveling overseas to join a terrorist organization, including al-Shabaab in Somalia, before focusing on carrying out an attack inside the United States.
On October 6, an undercover FBI employee arranged a transaction involving an AK-47-style rifle, four 30-round magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition. Mohamud allegedly paid about $600. The FBI said the rifle had been rendered inert before the sale.
Agents arrested Mohamud shortly afterward in Richfield. The Justice Department says he reaffirmed his intention to shoot people at the mall during the transaction.
Suspect allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS
The Justice Department alleges Mohamud recorded a selfie-style video pledging allegiance to ISIS and circulated extremist propaganda. During communications with a confidential source, he allegedly discussed the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, the 2025 New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans and the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting in Australia.
The allegations describe a sustained federal investigation, rather than a threat first discovered in the days before his arrest.
Mall of America previously featured in NIT security coverage
NorthIowaToday.com has covered security concerns involving the Twin Cities shopping destination before. In 2015, NIT reported an FBI assessment concerning potential danger at the Mall of America. Earlier, NIT covered a guilty plea in a case involving bomb threats against the mall and Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport.
The region has also been the setting for unrelated terrorism prosecutions, including the sentencing of three Twin Cities men for supporting ISIS, previously reported by NIT. Authorities have not linked those older cases to Mohamud.
Federal charge and court appearance
Mohamud was charged by criminal complaint with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism. He made his initial federal court appearance October 7 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright.
The FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Force and Bloomington Police Department investigated, with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation. Federal prosecutors are handling the case.
The federal complaint contains allegations, not findings of guilt. Mohamud is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.