US teen charged over alleged IS mall shooting plot

US authorities have charged Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, over an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at the Mall of America in Minnesota in support of the Islamic State group.

The FBI arrested Mohamud after he bought an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from an undercover agent in a sting operation, authorities said Wednesday.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Mohamud allegedly obtained a weapon he hoped to use in a mass-casualty attack in support of ISIS, but the FBI stopped his plans.

Authorities say Mohamud, from Richfield, Minnesota, intended to kill 30 to 60 people at the mall. They allege he targeted the venue because he claimed it was Jewish-owned and identified October 24 for the planned shooting during a scheduled Hmong Arts Celebration, saying it would target Asians and other non-Muslims.

Mohamud is accused of sharing his intentions with an FBI source in hundreds of messages since 2024, including a selfie-style video in which authorities say he pledged allegiance to IS.

He is charged with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism. He appeared before a federal judge on Wednesday.