A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Sept. 4 in Canada in connection with a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
“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. Khan began posting on social media about his support for ISIS around November 2023 when he distributed ISIS propaganda videos and literature. Subsequently, he began communicating 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 City-1. He instructed UCs repeatedly on obtaining AR-style assault rifles and ammunition for attacks scheduled around Oct 7th because "oct 7 they will surely have some protests" and "oct 11 is yom.kippur."
On Aug. 20, Khan changed his target location from City-1 to New York City aiming at Location-1—a Jewish center located in Brooklyn—due on or around Oct 7th recognizing it as one-year anniversary since Hamas' violent attacks on Israel.
Khan continued urging UCs for acquiring weapons including hunting knives stating “if we succeed with our plan this would be largest Attack on US soil since 9/11.” On Sept 4th while attempting crossing U.S.-Canada border via three separate cars towards Ormstown approximately twelve miles from border; authorities intercepted him.
Khan faces charges under one count providing material support/resources designated FTO potentially leading up-to twenty years imprisonment if convicted pending federal district court judge's sentencing considerations based upon U.S Sentencing Guidelines alongside statutory factors involved.
Investigations spearheaded jointly across multiple field offices within FBI-NewYork-Chicago-LosAngeles acknowledging crucial role played Canadian Law Enforcement aiding DOJ's Criminal Division Office International Affairs seeking extradition proceedings against accused individual presently underway
Prosecution handled Assistant US Attorneys Kaylan E Lasky David J Robles Southern District NY Trial Attorney Kevin C Nunnally National Security Division Counterterrorism Section DOJ ensuring legal process adheres fair trial principles upheld presumption innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law
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