Canadian Citizen Charged with Plotting ISIS Attack in New York City

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a 20-year-old Pakistani national residing in Canada, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was apprehended on September 4 in Canada. This arrest was the result of a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan faces charges of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

According to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, “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.” Garland praised the FBI’s investigative efforts and the prompt action of Canadian law enforcement, stating, “As I said to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety yesterday, we are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter.” He emphasized the importance of protecting Jewish communities and asserted that the Justice Department will continue to collaborate with both domestic and international partners to counter the threats posed by ISIS and other terrorist groups.

FBI Director Christopher Wray commented on the situation, stating, “The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel.” He praised the FBI’s investigation, saying, “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.” Wray reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to addressing terrorism, noting, “Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority.”

The complaint details Khan’s activities, alleging that he planned to travel from Canada to New York City to execute a mass shooting in support of ISIS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn. In November 2023, Khan began expressing his support for ISIS on social media and through encrypted messaging apps. He distributed ISIS propaganda and engaged in discussions with undercover law enforcement officers (UCs), confirming his intention to form “a real offline cell” of ISIS supporters. Khan discussed plans for a “coordinated assault” in a U.S. city using AR-style rifles to target Jewish communities.

Khan’s conversations with the UCs revealed his plans to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials for the attack. He identified specific locations in the city for the attacks and detailed his plans to cross the border from Canada into the U.S. Khan suggested that “Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews” because of potential protests and Yom Kippur.

On or around August 20, Khan shifted his target from an unspecified U.S. city to New York City. He initially proposed several neighborhoods but eventually focused on Location-1, a Jewish center in Brooklyn. Khan planned the attack around October 7, 2024, marking the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel. He asserted that New York City was an ideal target due to its large Jewish population, claiming, “New york is perfect to target jews” and “even if we dont attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.” Khan expressed his intention to “slaughter them” and provided a photograph of the targeted area inside Location-1.

Khan continued to press the UCs for AR-style rifles, ammunition, and other equipment, including “some good hunting [knives] so we can slit their throats.” He reiterated his support for ISIS and discussed logistical details, such as identifying rental properties near Location-1 and paying a smuggler to assist him in crossing the border. Khan noted that if successful, the attack would be “the largest Attack on US soil since 9/11.”

On September 4, as planned, Khan attempted to approach the U.S.-Canada border using three different vehicles. He was intercepted near Ormstown, Canada, approximately 12 miles from the border.

Khan faces a charge of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine his sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation involves the FBI’s New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles Field Offices. The Justice Department has expressed gratitude to Canadian law enforcement for their assistance. The Department of Justice’s Criminal Division Office of International Affairs is seeking Khan’s extradition from Canada.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaylan E. Lasky and David J. Robles from the Southern District of New York, along with Trial Attorney Kevin C. Nunnally of the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

It is important to note that a complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.