Two Michigan Men Charged With Halloween Terror Plot

Two men have been charged with a terrorist plot to carry out a mass shooting over Halloween weekend in the US state of Michigan.

The suspects, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, scouted potential locations in a suburb of Detroit and expressed support for the Islamic State group online, federal prosecutors say.

A third defendant, described as a juvenile in court documents, is unnamed. The alleged conspirators bought semi-automatic guns, more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition and trained how to shoot at a gun range, prosecutors say.

The defendants are due in court in Detroit on Monday. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said it was “a major ISIS-linked terror plot”.

“According to the complaint, subjects had multiple AR-15 rifles, tactical gear, and a detailed plan to carry out an attack on American soil,” she added.

The defendants are charged with handling firearms and ammunition and having reasonable cause to believe the weapons would be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism.

A 73-page charging document filed by the Department of Justice says that in September the suspects scouted the suburb of Ferndale, where numerous bars and restaurants are located.

“Many of the clubs and bars in this area intentionally attract members of the LGBTQ+ community,” said the court papers.

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