A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, has been arrested in connection with an alleged terrorist plot to target the Jewish community in New York City.
The 20-year-old was apprehended on 4 September following a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan faces charges of attempting to allegedly provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khan had allegedly planned an attack for early October 2024, coinciding with the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. His stated aim was to “slaughter as many Jewish people as possible” in support of ISIS.
Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the swift response of the FBI and Canadian law enforcement, noting that the plot was disrupted before any harm could be done.
Khan allegedly began discussing his support for ISIS in November 2023 via encrypted messaging apps and social media, where he shared propaganda materials. He later allegedly conspired with two undercover law enforcement officers, believing them to be ISIS supporters, to coordinate the planned attack.
The target location, a Jewish centre in Brooklyn, was chosen due to the city’s significant Jewish population. Khan reportedly intended to use AR-style rifles and knives to maximise casualties during the attack.
“The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan’s plan.” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
In August, Khan shifted his plans from another unnamed U.S. city to New York, identifying specific Jewish institutions to target. He expressed confidence that his attack would be the largest on U.S. soil since 9/11, and even detailed how he would cross the U.S.-Canada border. Canadian authorities arrested him while attempting to reach the border near Ormstown, 12 miles from the U.S.
If convicted, Khan faces up to 20 years in prison. U.S. authorities are now seeking his extradition from Canada to face trial in New York.
The case is being investigated by FBI field offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with support from Canadian law enforcement. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaylan Lasky and David Robles, along with Kevin Nunnally from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
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