A Pakistani national living in Canada was apprehended on September 4th and charged with planning an attack linked to the terrorist group ISIS. The individual chose October 7th as the intended date for the attack, coinciding with the anniversary of the Hamas assault on Israel. The suspect, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, planned to travel from Canada to New York City to carry out a mass shooting using automatic and semi-automatic weapons. According to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Khan aimed to target as many Jewish individuals as possible in the name of ISIS. If convicted, Khan faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years for attempting to provide support to ISIS.
In the months leading up to his arrest, Khan expressed support for ISIS on social media and communicated with others through encrypted messaging apps. He shared ISIS propaganda and videos and eventually connected with undercover law enforcement officers to whom he disclosed his plans. Khan initially intended to attack “City-1” with a U.S.-based ISIS supporter, focusing on Jewish centers in the city. He requested assistance from the undercover officers in obtaining assault rifles and ammunition for the attack.
Despite initially considering October 11th as a potential attack date, Khan ultimately settled on October 7th and changed the target location to a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. He viewed New York as an ideal location due to its large Jewish population and stated that a successful attack would be the largest on U.S. soil since 9/11. Khan’s journey from Canada to the U.S. was halted near the border in Ormstown, Canada, where he used three different vehicles for transportation.
Recent arrests of individuals involved in terrorism-related activities highlight ongoing concerns about ISIS-linked threats in the United States. Law enforcement agencies have collaborated with international partners to disrupt ISIS propaganda networks and infrastructure. The Jewish community in the U.S. has faced increased targeting since the Hamas attack last year, leading to a surge in anti-Semitic incidents according to the Anti-Defamation League.
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