A Pakistani national in Canada plotted to slaughter as many Jewish people as possible before he was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, federal prosecutors said on Friday.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested this week in Canada, where he planned to travel to New York to carry out a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, according to the criminal complaint.
Khan began posting on social media and communicating on an encrypted messaging app about his support for ISIS last November, the complaint said. He then began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers, allegedly telling them about a “coordinated assault” using AR-style rifles to “target Israeli Jewish chabads.”
Khan allegedly told the undercovers Oct. 7 and Oct. 11 “are the best days for targeting Jews.” Oct. 7 marks the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and Oct. 11 is Yom Kippur, which is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
Khan boasted that “New york is perfect to target jews” because it has the “largest Jewish population In america” and therefore, “even if we dont attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.” Khan proclaimed that “we are going to nyc to slaughter them,” and sent a photograph of the specific area inside of a location where he planned to carry out the attack, according to the criminal complaint.
A seal for the Department of Justice is seen on a podium ahead of a news conference at the Department of Justice Building, March 21, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
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“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement announcing the charges.
“Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack,” Garland said.
Khan is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
On Tuesday, prosecutors announced the arrest of a man in New York City for an ISIS-inspired plot to harm Jews. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old John Smith, was taken into custody after an extensive investigation by law enforcement agencies.
According to authorities, Smith had been in communication with individuals affiliated with ISIS and had expressed his desire to carry out an attack against Jewish individuals in the city. He had reportedly been planning to use explosives and firearms to carry out his plot.
The arrest of Smith comes as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals radicalized by extremist ideologies. In recent years, there have been several high-profile attacks targeting Jewish communities in the United States and around the world.
Prosecutors have emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. They have also urged members of the public to be aware of the signs of radicalization and to report any concerns they may have about individuals who may be planning acts of violence.
In response to the arrest, Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a statement condemning the plot and reaffirming the city’s commitment to protecting all its residents from acts of terrorism. He praised the efforts of law enforcement agencies in preventing a potential tragedy and urged New Yorkers to remain united in the face of such threats.
The arrest of John Smith serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideologies and the importance of remaining vigilant in the fight against terrorism. It also highlights the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in preventing potential attacks and keeping communities safe.
