A chilling plot to unleash terror on Halloween night has been disrupted with the arrest of six individuals across Michigan and New Jersey. Federal authorities moved swiftly to intercept a planned attack targeting LGBT bars in the Detroit suburbs, revealing a network fueled by extremist ideology.
The latest developments include the arrest of 19-year-old Ayob Nasser, brother of previously charged Mohmed Ali, and two New Jersey residents, Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzal, 19, and Milo Sederat, 21. Investigators believe additional accomplices remain at large, signaling a potentially wider network of individuals involved in the scheme.
The investigation took a disturbing turn with the discovery that Nasser allegedly viewed bodycam footage from the tragic school shooting in Nashville just days before the planned attack. The footage depicted the aftermath of the Covenant School shooting, a horrific event that claimed the lives of children and adults.
Evidence suggests a deliberate accumulation of weaponry. Nasser is accused of purchasing a Daniel Defense DDM4V7 rifle for over $1,400, adding to the arsenal allegedly amassed by Ali and Mahmoud. Authorities also identified a second, unnamed juvenile suspect who engaged in online searches related to notorious terrorist figures and past mass shootings.
The scope of the planned attacks extended beyond the LGBT bars in Ferndale, Michigan. Investigators discovered evidence suggesting the group also scouted a Midwestern theme park as a potential target, broadening the potential scale of the devastation they intended to inflict.
Milo Sederat appeared in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, facing charges of transmitting threats. He was denied bail and could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His father, a professor at Queens College, was present but declined to comment.
The initial arrests of Ali and Mahmoud revealed a meticulously planned operation, codenamed “pumpkin.” Prosecutors allege the pair stockpiled firearms, practiced shooting, and specifically targeted LGBT nightclubs, drawing inspiration from the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and the Bataclan theatre attack in Paris.
FBI searches uncovered a disturbing cache of weapons, including semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, handguns, tactical gear, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition. The suspects are currently being held without bail, awaiting further court proceedings.
The investigation continues to unravel the full extent of the alleged conspiracy, revealing a disturbing pattern of radicalization and a chilling intent to carry out a mass act of violence. Authorities are working to identify and apprehend any remaining individuals connected to the plot.
The amended complaint detailing the case has grown to over 40 pages, painting a grim picture of the planning and preparation that went into this thwarted attack. The case underscores the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable communities.
