Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, is accused of plotting a mass taking pictures at a Jewish middle in Brooklyn round Oct. 7, 2024, practically one yr after Hamas‘ assault in Israel.
U.S. Legal professional Basic Merrick Garland mentioned Khan, who’s also referred to as Shahzeb Jadoon, aimed to kill “as many Jewish folks as doable.”
The Division of Justice was not capable of affirm if Khan had obtained authorized counsel.
Khan tried to journey from Canada to america the place he meant to make use of automated and semi-automatic weapons to hold out the assault, in response to the indictment.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police mentioned in a press release Friday they arrested Khan on Wednesday in Ormstown, Quebec, south of Montreal. He’s set to look in courtroom in Montreal Sept. 13.
Khan advised two undercover legislation enforcement officers of his plans to create “an actual offline cell” of Islamic State supporters to hold out an assault, the indictment alleged.
He instructed them to acquire AR-style assault rifles, ammunition and different supplies to hold out the assaults, and recognized particular areas the place the assaults would happen.
Khan focused New York Metropolis as a result of it has “the most important Jewish inhabitants in America,” prosecutors mentioned.
“We’re deeply grateful to our Canadian companions for his or her essential legislation enforcement actions on this matter. Jewish communities – like all communities on this nation – mustn’t should worry that they are going to be focused by a hate-fueled terrorist assault,” Garland mentioned in a press release.
Khan faces as much as 20 years in jail.
Oct. 7 can be the primary anniversary of an assault by Hamas on Israel that left about 1,200 folks lifeless and triggered an Israeli assault, now in its eleventh month, that has thus far killed greater than 40,000 folks.
Communities throughout North America have since reported will increase in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic assaults.