Canadian and American authorities have arrested Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a 20-year-old Pakistani national, for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack against Jewish communities in New York City on behalf of the Islamic State group. Khan was detained on September 4, 2024, in Ormstown, Quebec, approximately 12 miles from the U.S. border.
He is accused of planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, timed around key dates, including the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel and the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur on October 11.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland reported that Khan expressed an intent to “slaughter, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible.”
The FBI, in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), uncovered communications in which Khan encouraged undercover agents to acquire AR-style rifles and ammunition for the attack. He allegedly identified New York City as a prime target due to its large Jewish population and suggested that the attack could be the largest on U.S. soil since 9/11.
Khan was apprehended while attempting to cross into the U.S., reportedly after paying a human trafficker for assistance. He faces charges of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. His court date in Montreal is set for September 13, 2024.
Both the RCMP and U.S. officials highlighted the success of their joint efforts in stopping the plot. The RCMP noted that Khan had not been considered an immediate threat prior to his arrest. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme condemned the alleged plot as a hateful crime and reaffirmed their commitment to combating violent extremism.
The arrest has heightened security measures for Jewish communities in the U.S. as the Jewish high holidays approach, with law enforcement agencies increasing vigilance against potential threats.
