The Threat Was Real. So Was the Response.
Federal agents arrested an 18-year-old Twin Cities man on October 6 after he allegedly purchased an AK-47-style rifle, four 30-round magazines, and roughly 200 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI employee — weapons he said he planned to use to carry out a mass shooting at the Hmong Arts Celebration at Mall of America on October 24. Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, of Richfield, Minnesota, faces one federal count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition to commit a federal crime of terrorism.
Mohamud had designated October 24 as his attack date, timed to the Hmong Arts Celebration at Mall of America, and stated he intended to kill between 30 and 60 people in the name of ISIS. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the charges on October 7. Mohamud is scheduled to appear before a judge on October 19.
Two Years in the Making
The criminal complaint filed in federal court details a nearly two-year investigation by the FBI, which began in December 2024, during which Mohamud allegedly exchanged hundreds of messages with a confidential human source via social media and encrypted platforms.
In those messages, Mohamud allegedly said he wanted to travel to Somalia, join a foreign terrorist organization and fight or commit a mass-casualty attack in Minnesota on its behalf. The plot reportedly became more specific in September, when Mohamud told the confidential source he wanted to attack the Mall of America during the Hmong Arts Celebration scheduled for October 24.
Mohamud told the FBI undercover employee he planned to conduct a shooting at a festival at the Mall of America on October 24. He also expressed a desire to kill non-Muslims and sent the undercover source a link to the Hmong Arts Celebration at the mall, according to a Department of Justice news release.
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson called the messages "chilling," saying they "document the idolization of ideologically motivated violence, a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life, a blind hatred of people of other faiths and a cold commitment to carrying out his vision."
What This Means for the Hmong Arts Celebration
The Hmong Arts Celebration returns to Mall of America for its second year, building on the momentum of last year's historic debut as the first-ever Hmong cultural event hosted at the mall. Scheduled for Saturday, October 24, the event highlights the richness and diversity of Hmong culture through live performances, traditional fashion, music, and storytelling, bringing together elder and younger generations in a shared celebration of heritage and community.
The celebration is still on. Event organizer Lue Thao said learning about the alleged plot hit hard — but it didn't shake the mission. In a public statement, Thao said: "It was heartbreaking and emotional to hear the news of the alleged planned attack at Mall of America. As a community member and organizer preparing to bring our Hmong Arts Celebration back on October 24, it was especially difficult to learn about such a serious, alleged threat involving a place where so many families and communities gather. The vision of the Hmong Arts Celebration has always been to create a unified space for Hmong artists to express their art and bring people of all backgrounds together."
Thao added: "I am incredibly grateful to the FBI, local law enforcement and everyone involved in preventing what could have been a devastating tragedy. I also appreciate the Mall of America team for their prompt communication and coordination regarding security and our upcoming event."
The Mall's Response
In response to the arrest, Mall of America said in a statement it maintains "multiple layers of security, both visible and behind the scenes, and will continue to work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement partners."
Mohamud appeared before a federal judge in Minnesota for an eight-minute initial hearing on Wednesday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright ordered Mohamud temporarily detained. He is scheduled to return to court Monday, October 19, at 11 a.m. for a preliminary and detention hearing.
Show Up on October 24
Our community didn't build something as beautiful as the Hmong Arts Celebration to let fear close the doors. The festival was designed to be exactly this — a space where Hmong artists take the stage, elders and young people sit side by side, and culture speaks louder than anything trying to silence it.
The FBI did its job. Now we do ours. The Hmong Arts Celebration is October 24 at the Mall of America Huntington Bank Rotunda, noon to 5 p.m. Go celebrate.
