A 20-year-old Pakistani national, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, was arrested in Canada on September 4, 2024, for allegedly plotting what he claimed would be the "largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11." Khan, also known by the alias Shahzeb Jadoon, is accused of planning a mass shooting targeting Jewish people in New York City. Authorities apprehended Khan near the U.S.-Canada border while he attempted to illegally enter the United States to carry out the attack.
The terrorist plot was linked to Khan’s support for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). He allegedly sought to attack a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York, aiming to inflict maximum casualties. The arrest took place just weeks before the planned date of the attack, which coincided with October 7, the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, and Yom Kippur on October 11, a significant Jewish holy day.
SENSATIONAL, SHOCKING, HORRIFYING ALERT FOR THE FUTURE!
This is one chronology that must be heard today.
Basti, UP: Some Islamist on social media made highly derogatory comments against Prabhu Shri Ram, Maa Saraswati, and Bhagwan Vishnu on April 7th.
Hearing this, a Hindu boy… pic.twitter.com/s0GL8gMDe6
— Treeni (@TheTreeni) April 12, 2024
Khan believed that these dates would present an opportunity to kill as many Jewish people as possible, with gatherings and commemorations increasing the target density.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khan had been discussing his plans with undercover law enforcement officers posing as fellow ISIS supporters. During these communications, he revealed that his ultimate goal was to surpass the scale of the 9/11 attacks, stating, "If we succeed with our plan, this would be the largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11." Khan had spent months preparing for the assault, instructing the undercover officers to acquire AR-style assault rifles and ammunition, which he intended to use in a mass shooting
SENSATIONAL, SHOCKING, HORRIFYING ALERT FOR THE FUTURE!
This is one chronology that must be heard today.
Basti, UP: Some Islamist on social media made highly derogatory comments against Prabhu Shri Ram, Maa Saraswati, and Bhagwan Vishnu on April 7th.
Hearing this, a Hindu boy… pic.twitter.com/s0GL8gMDe6
— Treeni (@TheTreeni) April 12, 2024
The plan included attacking various Jewish centers throughout New York City, with Khan emphasizing that even if they did not target a specific event, they could "easily rack up a lot of Jews," given the city's large Jewish population. Khan had also been actively recruiting for a "real offline cell" of ISIS operatives to carry out coordinated attacks.
Khan’s radicalization appeared to have taken root online, where he had been sharing ISIS propaganda videos and literature. His communications with undercover agents began in November 2023, during which he outlined his intentions to orchestrate a significant terror strike. His arrest came after law enforcement traced his movements across Canada, where he used three different cars in an effort to evade detection while attempting to reach the U.S..
The U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that Khan faces several charges, including providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. His apprehension was the result of a collaborative effort between American and Canadian authorities, which prevented what could have been a catastrophic attack.
Khan’s arrest underscores the ongoing threat posed by ISIS-inspired terrorism, even as the group has lost much of its territorial control in the Middle East. Law enforcement officials noted that this case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent danger posed by lone actors and small cells attempting to carry out attacks on U.S. soil.
