On Friday, two men were arrested for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired Halloween attack in Michigan, as revealed by court records unsealed on Monday. The individuals, identified as Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, both U.S. citizens, reportedly referred to their plans using the term “pumpkin day”. The complaint has raised serious concerns about the potential threat they posed to public safety.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed gratitude towards the FBI for their swift actions that prevented this plot from resulting in innocent lives being lost. According to the details outlined in the complaint, Ali and Mahmoud allegedly purchased a shotgun, an AR-15-style rifle, and a forced reset trigger, which can significantly increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic weapon.
The two men, along with three unidentified co-conspirators, allegedly practiced their shooting at various firing ranges across Michigan. They also engaged in reconnaissance by driving to different locations to practice shooting. The Justice Department noted that similar patterns have been observed in past terrorist attacks, where perpetrators practiced shooting prior to their assaults.
The group is said to have utilized online encrypted communications and social media platforms to disseminate extremist content and materials related to ISIS, which encouraged violent attacks akin to their planned operation. During a series of home searches conducted by the FBI on Friday, agents discovered multiple firearms, including AR-15-style rifles, shotguns, handguns, tactical vests, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition suitable for the rifles.
The FBI's interest in the suspects began after a review of one of the co-conspirators' phones in 2024. A Customs and Border Protection officer discovered alarming Google searches related to ISIS and the Islamic State, along with photos of the co-conspirator dressed in military attire and holding weapons. While this individual was abroad, Ali and Mahmoud participated in a group call discussing plans to travel overseas to join the co-conspirator and potentially travel to Syria to align with ISIS.
During their discussions, the men drew parallels between their intended actions in the U.S. and the infamous 2015 ISIS attack in Paris. They also referenced a potential assault at a club or disco, alluding to the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting of 2016, which was also claimed by ISIS.
On October 17, Ali reportedly informed an unnamed associate that they had devised a new plan, insisting that the individual learn how to shoot. The following day, he mentioned holding a meeting to strategize on moving forward with their alleged intentions. Ali's comments indicated a direct connection to the term “pumpkins,” which contextually suggested a planned attack around Halloween.
On October 19, while there was some apparent hesitation to proceed with the attack, Ali continued to discuss potential dates for their operation. In another conversation on the same day, Ali and his associate reiterated the term “pumpkin,” with the unnamed individual urging Ali to revert to previous plans. Ali's response hinted at a grim certainty about the execution of their plans, suggesting that the public would be unaware until it was reported in the news.
The alarming details surrounding this case highlight the ongoing threats posed by domestic terrorism and underline the critical role of law enforcement in preemptively addressing these plots before they can cause harm to communities.
