Pakistani man accused of plotting devastating NYC attack on October 7 anniversary – as his horrifying threat is revealed
A Pakistani man has been arrested on suspicion of planning to attack Jewish centers in New York City on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, a suspected supporter of the Islamic State, was arrested in Canada on Wednesday after the Justice Department said he planned to “kill as many Jewish people as possible.”
According to an indictment against Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, he planned to cross the northern border and then carry out a devastating shootout with automatic and semi-automatic weapons.
Khan’s alleged plan was foiled after it was discovered by two undercover agents who chatted with the 20-year-old online as he tried to recruit them into a “real offline cell” for ISIS, the indictment said.
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 group of Hasidic people gather outside a major synagogue in Brooklyn
The suspect, identified as Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, allegedly planned to go on a shooting spree in Brooklyn on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks (pictured)
The indictment did not specify Khan’s alleged target, but it said he discussed with undercover agents a “plot to carry out mass shootings at or near Jewish religious centers” in Brooklyn.
He reportedly chose the borough of New York City because it would be “perfect to target Jews,” as it has “the largest Jewish population in America.”
“Khan told the (undercover agents) that he planned to kill as many Jewish civilians as possible,” the indictment said.
According to police, Khan began sharing threats and propaganda videos about ISIS in November in which he spoke to the two undercover agents.
In his online conversations, he reportedly named a number of possible synagogues and community centers and shouted, “We’re going to New York to slaughter them.”
Khan is also accused of directing the undercover agents to obtain AR-style assault weapons and ammunition so they could help him carry out the attack, and allegedly saying he and another ISIS supporter were in the US trying to gather supplies for the plan.
He was arrested on Wednesday in Canada, just 12 miles from the U.S. 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 fear being targeted by a hateful terrorist attack”
Khan also reportedly shared details about how he would hire a human smuggler to help him sneak into the US undetected, using three different vehicles to cross the border before he was arrested.
In a statement following Khan’s arrest, Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the investigation.
“We are extremely grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this case,” Garland said.
“Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be the target of a hateful terrorist attack.”
It is currently unclear whether Khan will be extradited to the United States after his arrest in Canada.