In a shocking revelation, authorities in Detroit disclosed that two 20-year-old men, identified as Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, were allegedly planning a terror attack on LGBTQ+ bars in the suburbs of Detroit. This alarming information emerged from a 72-page criminal complaint unsealed in federal court, detailing how the suspects had acquired high-powered weapons and practiced their shooting skills at various gun ranges.
The investigation revealed that Ali and Mahmoud, along with their co-conspirators, were influenced by the extremism of the Islamic State group. A minor, referred to in the complaint as "Person 1," was also reportedly involved in the discussions surrounding the planned attack. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the efforts of law enforcement, stating, “Our American heroes prevented a terror attack,” while detailing the suspects' intentions to target LGBTQ+ venues in Ferndale, a city known for its vibrant Pride celebrations.
Before making the arrests, the FBI had been monitoring the suspects for several weeks. Agents employed various surveillance techniques, including the placement of a camera on a pole outside a residence in Dearborn, to gather evidence. Additionally, investigators accessed encrypted chats and thoroughly examined social media interactions to build a case against the alleged terrorists.
The FBI's interest in Ali and Mahmoud stemmed from an investigation into another individual, during which information was obtained from a group call recorded by a confidential source. The charges against Ali and Mahmoud include receiving and transferring firearms and ammunition for terrorism purposes. Both men made brief appearances in federal court on Monday and are set to remain in custody until a detention hearing scheduled for November 10.
The defense attorneys for Ali and Mahmoud, William Swor and Amir Makled, have opted not to comment on the case. However, Makled dismissed the allegations over the weekend as a product of “hysteria” and “fear-mongering.” According to the government, Mahmoud had recently purchased more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition suitable for AR-15-style rifles, and both individuals had practiced at shooting ranges.
Interestingly, the FBI noted that the suspects frequently mentioned “pumpkins” in their conversations, a coded reference to their planned attack around Halloween. The complaint also highlighted that Person 1 was in contact with the father of a known Islamic extremist ideologue to discuss the timing of their supposed “good deed.”
On the day of the arrests, the FBI conducted searches at homes in Dearborn and a storage unit rented by Ali in nearby Inkster. These searches yielded a shocking array of items, including tactical vests, AR-15-style rifles, loaded handguns, ammunition, and GoPro cameras. While the criminal complaint does not specify why the Ferndale LGBTQ+ community was targeted, it draws a chilling parallel to the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, where 49 lives were lost, and the perpetrator had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Former Mayor of Ferndale, Dave Coulter, expressed his concern over the alleged plot, stating it was “disturbing” to learn of such intentions against the community. Now serving as the Oakland County executive, Coulter reflected on the lasting pain of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, emphasizing that the memories of that day are still profoundly felt within the Ferndale community.
This incident marks the second case in recent months involving alleged plots by individuals associated with the Islamic State group in the Detroit area. Earlier this year, the FBI arrested a man who had been planning an attack on a U.S. Army site in Warren. The suspect, Ammar Said, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody as investigations continue.
