Federal authorities have made arrests in Michigan after a plot targeting LGBTQ+ bars in Ferndale was uncovered. Two men, Momed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, have been charged with terrorism-related crimes in connection with the alleged plot.
According to a 72-page criminal complaint, the two men had scouted out several LGBTQ+ bars in Ferndale as part of their plan, which authorities say was inspired by Islamic State extremism. Investigators also revealed that a minor was involved in the discussions, further emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.
The FBI reports that Ali and Mahmoud repeatedly referred to "pumpkins" in their conversations, a reference to a Halloween attack. The men were charged with receiving and transferring guns and ammunition for terrorism-related purposes.
Law enforcement officials say they prevented what could have been a devastating terror attack, and US Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the arrests as a major success. "Our American heroes prevented a terror attack," she stated on social media.
The men's lawyers have declined to comment on the allegations, with Mahmoud's lawyer saying only that his client was being treated unfairly by the prosecution's claims of hysteria and fear-mongering. However, prosecutors say the evidence against them is overwhelming, and they are confident that justice will be served.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the plot to come forward and assist in their efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremism and terrorism in the United States, and underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community.
According to a 72-page criminal complaint, the two men had scouted out several LGBTQ+ bars in Ferndale as part of their plan, which authorities say was inspired by Islamic State extremism. Investigators also revealed that a minor was involved in the discussions, further emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.
The FBI reports that Ali and Mahmoud repeatedly referred to "pumpkins" in their conversations, a reference to a Halloween attack. The men were charged with receiving and transferring guns and ammunition for terrorism-related purposes.
Law enforcement officials say they prevented what could have been a devastating terror attack, and US Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the arrests as a major success. "Our American heroes prevented a terror attack," she stated on social media.
The men's lawyers have declined to comment on the allegations, with Mahmoud's lawyer saying only that his client was being treated unfairly by the prosecution's claims of hysteria and fear-mongering. However, prosecutors say the evidence against them is overwhelming, and they are confident that justice will be served.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the plot to come forward and assist in their efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremism and terrorism in the United States, and underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community.
this whole thing just gives me the chills... i mean, you've got two dudes planning a terrorist attack on lgbtq+ bars, which are already super vulnerable spots, and now we're talking about some kid getting drawn into their twisted plans 
it's like, what even is going on with our world right now? where do these people come from, and why are they so messed up? 
but at the same time, can we talk about how systemic issues are just gonna keep bringing these kinds of threats to our doors? like, if we're not addressing the root causes of extremism and terrorism, how do we expect to stop it? 
it's all so frustrating, because i know there are good people out there who want to make a difference, but it feels like we're always playing catch-up 
The fact that they used the term "pumpkins" as a reference to a Halloween attack makes it seem like they were more desperate than sinister. And what's with all the hype about this being an Islamic State-inspired plot? Can't we just focus on understanding what drove these guys to make such poor choices instead of jumping to conclusions and stereotyping their entire faith? 
this is so disturbing 
i mean we're living in a time where equality and love are supposed to be celebrated but some people still want to spread hate and fear 
i guess that was their twisted way of referencing the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting 
. The fact that these two guys were planning an attack on LGBTQ+ bars is just unacceptable, it's like targeting people based on who they are without any reason 
it's crazy how fast this stuff can spread and how hard it can be to combat.
. But at the same time, I think it's also important for us as a community to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity 
.
. I mean, it's just horrific that someone thought it was okay to plan a terrorist attack on innocent people because of their identity or orientation. It's like, no one deserves to be scared or hurt like that.
. Like, can you even imagine what would've happened if they'd actually gone through with it? It's crazy to think about how many lives would be lost and families torn apart.
. And, of course, the FBI did an amazing job in gathering evidence and stopping them before it was too late.
. Now let's hope they can wrap this case up ASAP and bring these guys to justice 
this is soooo messed up... two dudes trying to target LGBTQ+ bars in Michigan? I mean, what's next? It's crazy that they actually scouted out places like that and had a minor involved too... it just goes to show how twisted their minds were. 
but it's good that the lawyers for the accused are speaking out too. The community needs to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity 
. We need to address the real issues here, like gun control and mental health support, rather than playing politics with national security concerns 
.