FBI Thwarts Islamic State-Inspired Halloween Terror Plot Targeting LGBTQ+ Venues in Detroit Area

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests on Friday

Federal authorities have charged two men with terrorism-related offenses in the Detroit metropolitan area following seizures of weapons from a storage unit and other locations last week, officials confirmed on Monday.

According to a 72-page criminal complaint made public in federal court, the suspects had conducted reconnaissance of LGBTQ+ establishments in Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X: "Our American heroes prevented a terror attack."

While FBI Director Kash Patel had initially disclosed the arrests on Friday, specific information was withheld as agents executed search warrants at a residence in Dearborn and a storage facility in nearby Inkster.

Court documents reveal that the two defendants, Momed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, along with additional co-conspirators, were motivated by Islamic State ideology. Investigators indicated that a juvenile was also implicated in their discussions.

FBI officials noted that the suspects repeatedly mentioned "pumpkins" in their communications, which investigators determined was code for a planned Halloween attack.

Ali and Mahmoud face charges of receiving and transferring firearms and ammunition for terrorism purposes. Prosecutors allege that Mahmoud had recently purchased more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition compatible with AR-15-style rifles in their possession, and both men had been practicing at shooting ranges.

The defendants were scheduled for their initial court appearance Monday afternoon. Mahmoud's attorney, William Swor, declined to provide comment. Attempts to reach Ali's legal representative, Amir Makled, were unsuccessful.

During the weekend, Makled had seemingly dismissed the allegations, characterizing them as products of "hysteria" and "fearmongering."

According to the criminal complaint, FBI agents had been monitoring the suspects for several weeks, employing surveillance methods including a pole-mounted camera outside a Dearborn residence. Investigators also gained access to encrypted messages and other communications between the suspects.

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