A Pakistani man has been arrested after allegedly plotting to attack Jewish centers in New York City on the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, an alleged supporter of the Islamic State, was taken into custody on Wednesday in Canada after the DOJ said he was plotting to ‘kill as many Jewish people as possible.’
According to an indictment against Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, he had planned to travel across the northern border before carrying out a devastating shooting spree with automatic and semi-automatic weapons.
Khan’s alleged scheme was foiled after it was discovered by two undercover cops, who chatted with the 20-year-old online as he attempted to recruit them into a ‘real offline cell’ for ISIS, the indictment claimed.
A Pakistani man has been arrested after allegedly plotting to attack Jewish centers in New York City to ‘kill as many Jewish people as possible.’ Pictured: A crowd of Hasidic people gather outside a main synagogue in Brooklyn
The suspect, named as Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, allegedly plotted to go on a shooting spree in Brooklyn on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks (pictured)
The indictment did not specify what Khan’s alleged target was, but said he discussed with the undercover cops a ‘plot to carry out mass shootings at or around Jewish religious centers’ in Brooklyn.
He allegedly picked the New York City borough because it would be ‘perfect to target Jews’ because it has ‘the largest Jewish population in America.’
‘Khan told the (undercover cops) he intended to kill as many Jewish civilians as possible’, the indictment claimed.
Cops said Khan began sharing threats and ISIS propaganda videos in November, where he began speaking with the two undercover police officers.
In his conversations online, he allegedly picked out several possible synagogues and community centers, and proclaimed ‘we are going to NYC to slaughter them.’
Khan is also accused of instructing the undercover cops to obtain AR-style assault weapons and ammunition to join him in the attack, and allegedly said he and another ISIS supporter based in the US were attempting to gather supplies for the plot.
He was arrested on Wednesday in Canada, just 12 miles from the US border, and charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the undercover investigation and said Jewish communities ‘should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack’
Khan also allegedly shared details of how he would hire a people smuggler to help him slip into the US undetected, and had already used three separate vehicles on his way to the border before he was arrested.
In a statement following Khan’s arrest, Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the investigation in a statement.
‘We are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter,’ Garland said.
‘Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack.’
It is unclear at this time if Khan will be extradited to America following his arrest in Canada.