A Pakistani national living in Canada has been arrested for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in New York City.
According to Fox News, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was taken into custody by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Wednesday. He is accused of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that Khan had been using encrypted messaging apps to plan the attack since November of last year. He allegedly communicated with two undercover officers, expressing his desire to create an "offline cell" of ISIS supporters to carry out a "coordinated assault" using AR-style rifles.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the seriousness of the alleged plot, stating:
The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas's horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan's plan.
The arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of vigilance in combating extremist ideologies.
The Department of Justice reported that Khan initially intended to target Jewish centers in an unspecified city but later redirected his attention to Brooklyn, New York. He allegedly instructed undercover officers to obtain AR-style weapons, ammunition, and other materials for the planned attack.
In one of his messages, Khan is said to have mentioned that New York would be an ideal location to target Jewish people due to its large Jewish population, stating they could still cause significant harm even without attacking a specific event.
This chilling statement underscores the severity of the alleged plot and the potential for mass casualties had it not been thwarted.
The successful arrest of Khan highlights the importance of international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police worked closely with U.S. authorities to apprehend the suspect before he could enter the United States.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams praised the collaborative effort, stating that the arrest was a result of the hard work of law enforcement partners and career prosecutors. He emphasized that the office would "stop at nothing to root out and bring to justice" those who seek to harm the community.
Khan allegedly planned to carry out the attack around October 7, which would mark the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel. This timing suggests a deliberate attempt to maximize the impact and symbolism of the planned assault.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland addressed this aspect of the plot, stating:
Jewish communities – like all communities in this country – should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack. The Justice Department will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners to aggressively counter the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations and their supporters.
The arrest of Muhammad Shahzeb Khan for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in New York City underscores the ongoing threat of terrorism. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and the need for continued vigilance against extremist ideologies. As law enforcement agencies work to prevent such attacks, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining public safety and protecting vulnerable communities from targeted violence.
