Two men from Michigan have been charged in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot to carry out a mass shooting on Halloween in a Detroit suburb, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday, 3 November 2025.
The accused, Mohmed Ali of Dearborn and Majed Mahmoud, both aged 20, have been charged with receiving, transferring, and attempting to receive and transfer firearms knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that they would be used to commit terrorism.
According to court documents, the men allegedly planned a coordinated attack codenamed “Pumpkin”, which investigators say could have resulted in a large-scale massacre similar to past terror attacks in Europe. The alleged plot, which began on 1 September 2025, was intended to be executed on 31 October 2025, before federal agents intervened.
Arrests and Court Appearance
Ali was arrested on Friday. His attorney, Amir Makled, had earlier told the Associated Press that he did not expect charges to be filed, claiming there was no plot. However, after the complaint was unsealed, Makled did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Mahmoud appeared in court on Monday alongside Ali. His lawyer, William Swor, told reporters outside the courthouse that both defendants were 20 years old and that he needed time to review the 73-page complaint before commenting further.
The Alleged Plot and Communications
According to the FBI, the accused men, along with a juvenile identified as “Person 1” and using the alias “Athari,” allegedly practiced shooting multiple times at local gun ranges. On one occasion, Ali was also accompanied by an unnamed “Co-conspirator 4.”
In intercepted communications cited in the affidavit, the juvenile suspect allegedly insisted that the attack must take place on Halloween and not at a later date.
“So ya, I talked to my brothers. We are going to do Pumpkin,” he allegedly told Ali. “I talked to [Co-conspirator 4] and [Co-conspirator 5]. They said it is getting bad. So we got to do Pumpkin, ya.”
Weapons and Tactical Gear Seized
Before the suspects could act, authorities executed federal search warrants on both men’s residences and a storage unit in Inkster, Michigan. The searches yielded an extensive cache of weapons and equipment, including:
- Three AR-15-style rifles
- Two shotguns
- Four pistols
- More than 1,600 rounds of ammunition
- GoPro cameras, tactical vests, and other combat gear
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation, stating that the arrests were the result of “months of tireless investigative work” that “likely saved many lives.” He added that the FBI would “continue to follow the facts, uphold the law, and deliver justice.”
Scouting and Training
Investigators said the suspects had allegedly scouted potential attack locations in Ferndale, Michigan, a Detroit suburb known for its LGBTQ+ nightlife. This surveillance activity reportedly drew attention because none of the suspects were above 21 years of age, and their movements appeared coordinated.
Surveillance video presented in court showed Ali and Mahmoud at a Michigan gun range, along with “Co-conspirator 5” and “Person 1” (the juvenile Athari), handling firearms and purchasing ammunition.
The FBI alleged that Ali and Athari discussed carrying out an attack modeled on the 13 November 2015 ISIS attacks in Paris, which killed 137 people and injured more than 400.
The affidavit stated that they were planning to do “the same thing as France.”
Extremist Influences and Digital Trail
The complaint further identified several unnamed co-conspirators. “Co-conspirator 1” allegedly met with Ali and Athari between June and July before traveling abroad. Upon returning to the United States, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers reviewed his phone and reportedly found Google searches for “ISIS” and “Islamic State,” as well as selfies in tactical gear holding weapons.
Authorities said the accused shared extremist propaganda and content promoting ISIS ideology through WhatsApp, Instagram, and Discord. They also allegedly sought advice from the father of a known local “Islamic extremist ideologue” while finalizing Halloween as the target date for the planned attack.
Weapons Procurement
Investigators allege that both Ali and Mahmoud were legally eligible to purchase firearms and had done so multiple times in recent months. Bank records and online activity revealed purchases including:
- A 12-gauge Beretta A300 Ultima Competition shotgun
- A Daniel Defense M4 V7 rifle
- Multiple 5.56 rifles from Palmetto State Armory
- A Sig Sauer 9mm pistol
- More than 1,600 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, reportedly shipped to Mahmoud’s address
Law Enforcement Response
The FBI operation was conducted in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, state police, and local law enforcement agencies.
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Thanks to the extraordinary diligence of U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr., the FBI, and state and local law enforcement officers, this plot was stopped before innocent lives were lost.”
Despite the alleged plot’s complexity and coordination, officials confirmed that the planned attack was completely thwarted before any harm was done.
The investigation remains ongoing, with several unnamed suspects still under scrutiny.
(Source: Fox News)
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