U.S.
FBI arrest follows inert rifle sale in alleged Mall of America plot
Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud was charged by complaint on Oct. 7. The Justice Department says the FBI rendered the rifle inert before the sale but arranged a transfer of about 200 rounds of ammunition. The allegations have not been tested in court.
Executive summary
- The charge: Federal prosecutors charged Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, of Richfield, Minnesota, by criminal complaint with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism, the Justice Department said Oct. 7. That is an allegation, not a conviction.[1][2]
- The undercover sale: The FBI says it arranged the sale of an AK-47-style rifle, four magazines and about 200 rounds on Oct. 6, then arrested Mohamud shortly after he took possession. The Justice Department says the rifle had been rendered inert. CNN's account of the affidavit says the ammunition was live.[1][3][4]
- What prosecutors allege: The complaint alleges that Mohamud discussed an attack at the mall, including a possible Oct. 24 date that coincided with a Hmong Arts Celebration. He made his initial court appearance Oct. 7 and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.[1][4][5]
The Justice Department announced Oct. 7 that Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, of Richfield, Minnesota, had been charged by complaint with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism. Authorities say the FBI arrested him the day before in an undercover operation in Richfield. He appeared in federal court on Oct. 7, according to the department and the Associated Press.[1][2][4]
The complaint, as summarized by prosecutors, alleges that Mohamud exchanged messages with a confidential source beginning in December 2024. Prosecutors say he discussed joining a foreign terrorist organization and later described a mass-casualty attack at the Mall of America. The department says the complaint identified Oct. 24 as a possible date and alleged that Mohamud linked it to a Hmong Arts Celebration scheduled at the mall. These are allegations in a charging document; they have not been established at trial.[1][4][5]
According to the Justice Department, the FBI arranged for an undercover employee to sell Mohamud an AK-47-style rifle, four 30-round magazines and about 200 rounds of ammunition on Oct. 6. The agency says it rendered the rifle inert before the transaction and arrested him shortly after he paid about $600 and took possession. MPR News reported that the arrest happened during a controlled operation in a Richfield park.[1][4][2]
The distinction between the rifle and ammunition matters. The Justice Department's announcement says the rifle was disabled but does not specify the ammunition's condition. CNN, citing the affidavit, reported that the approximately 200 rounds were live. The public accounts describe a rifle that could not fire, alongside ammunition that prosecutors say was transferred in the operation.[1][3]
Mohamud made an initial appearance before a federal magistrate on Oct. 7. MPR News reported that a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 19. The Associated Press reported that a federal public defender representing him and relatives declined to comment after the appearance.[4][2]
The Justice Department says the charge was brought by complaint and cautions that a complaint is an allegation. Mohamud is presumed innocent unless the government proves the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. No finding of guilt has been reported.[1]