MINNEAPOLIS — A federal magistrate on Monday ordered that an 18-year-old Minnesota man accused of plotting an attack at the Mall of America remain in custody, saying he posed a danger to the community and a risk of fleeing.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster declined a request to release Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, a U.S.-born citizen of Somali descent, after prosecutors described an undercover FBI operation that culminated in the teen purchasing an assault-style rifle, ammunition and magazines from an undercover agent.
How authorities say the plot unfolded
Federal prosecutors said Mohamud had been under surveillance since December 2024 following online and other communications with a confidential informant. Authorities allege the communications escalated into planning for a mass-casualty attack at the Mall of America.
Mohamud was arrested Oct. 6 in a public park in Richfield, the Minneapolis suburb where he lived, after meeting with an FBI employee who was posing as a member of the Islamic State extremist group and buying a rifle for $600 along with 200 rounds of ammunition and four 30-round magazines, prosecutors said.
"This was as close to committing a terrorist attack as he could have gotten," Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar said during the hearing.
Prosecutors’ case and defense request
At the hearing, prosecutors argued Mohamud demonstrated a firm commitment to carrying out an attack and to the ideology of the Islamic State. FBI Special Agent Keegan Rupenthal testified that Mohamud told agents he planned to attack the mall on Oct. 24, a date when a Hmong arts celebration — an event noted in court filings as an anticipated gathering — was scheduled. Rupenthal also said the teen expressed admiration for past terror attacks and sought martyrdom.
Mohamud’s defense attorney, Manny Atwal, emphasized the defendant’s youth at the time initial contact began, noting Mohamud was 16 when he first communicated with the confidential informant. Atwal asked the court to consider release to a halfway house, coupled with GPS monitoring and restrictions on internet access, rather than continued pretrial detention.
Judge Foster rejected that proposal, citing both community danger and risk that Mohamud might flee if released.
Background and local context
The Mall of America in Bloomington is one of the state’s highest-profile public venues and draws millions of visitors annually. An alleged plan to attack the mall during a community cultural celebration heightened concerns among local officials and residents, given the potential for large crowds and vulnerable populations.
The case also highlights the FBI’s use of confidential informants and undercover employees in investigations of alleged domestic extremist activity. According to court filings, Mohamud initially showed interest in traveling to Somalia to fight with al-Shabab militants before shifting his focus to an attack on domestic soil.
Key dates and actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | Investigators say communications began between Mohamud and a confidential informant |
| Oct. 6, 2026 | Mohamud arrested in Richfield after buying rifle and ammunition from undercover FBI employee |
| Oct. 19, 2026 | Magistrate judge orders Mohamud to remain jailed pending further proceedings |
What comes next
The case will proceed in federal court. Prosecutors have signaled they view the evidence as serious, describing the arrest as the close of a plot that law enforcement disrupted before an attack could be carried out. Defense counsel has argued for supervised release under strict conditions, pointing to the defendant’s age at the outset of contact with the informant.
Community leaders in the Twin Cities generally respond to such cases by emphasizing vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement. Authorities often urge the public to report suspicious behavior, especially around large public events and venues.
- Charge and custody: Mohamud remains in federal custody following the magistrate’s decision.
- Alleged weapons purchase: $600 paid for an AK-47, 200 rounds, and four magazines in an undercover operation.
- Planned date: Authorities say Oct. 24 was the intended date of the alleged attack.
Federal prosecutors and FBI officials did not immediately provide additional public comment beyond what was presented in court. Court records and testimony summarized at the hearing form the basis of the government’s allegations; as the case advances, more detailed filings and hearings will clarify the evidence and the charges that will be formally pursued.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available from court proceedings or law enforcement announcements.
