A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on September 4 in Canada following a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, and the quick action of our Canadian law enforcement partners, the defendant was taken into custody. As I said to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety yesterday, we are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter. 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 defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ 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.” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority.”
As alleged in the complaint, Khan attempted to travel from Canada to New York City where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons for a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. Starting around November 2023, Khan began posting on social media about his support for ISIS and distributed propaganda videos and literature. He subsequently communicated with two undercover law enforcement officers (UCs).
During these conversations, Khan confirmed that he had been planning an attack with a U.S.-based ISIS supporter (Associate-1) using AR-style rifles targeting Israeli Jewish centers scattered around an unnamed U.S. city (City-1). He instructed the UCs on obtaining assault rifles and identified specific locations for attacks while detailing his plans for crossing from Canada into the United States.
On or about August 20, Khan changed his target location from City-1 to New York City after initially suggesting certain neighborhoods there. He decided on targeting Location-1, a Jewish center located in Brooklyn on or around October 7 — recognizing it as one year since Hamas' attacks on Israel.
Khan continued urging UCs to acquire weapons including hunting knives for slitting throats while discussing logistics such as rental properties near Location-1 and paying for human smuggling services across borders.
On September 4th approximately twelve miles from reaching U.S.-Canada border near Ormstown; Canadian authorities apprehended him while using three separate cars traversing towards America.
Charged under one count attempting providing material support/resources designated FTO if convicted facing maximum twenty years imprisonment Federal district court judge determining sentencing per guidelines/statutory factors involved
FBI's New York Chicago Los Angeles field offices investigating case Justice Department acknowledges Canadian law enforcement cooperation Office International Affairs DOJ Criminal Division seeking extradition
Assistant US Attorneys Kaylan E Lasky David J Robles SDNY Trial Attorney Kevin C Nunnally DOJ National Security Division Counterterrorism Section prosecuting case Complaint merely allegation defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law