NEW YORK, NY – Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a 20-year-old Pakistani national residing in Canada, has been charged with plotting a terrorist attack in New York City. Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on September 4 in Canada after attempting to cross the U.S. border to execute a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn.
The planned attack, set for October 7, 2024, was intended to mark the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ 2023 attacks in Israel and was designed to target Jewish individuals in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khan had been planning the attack for months, communicating via encrypted messaging apps and distributing ISIS propaganda online. Khan allegedly sought to create a “real offline cell” of ISIS supporters and plotted with undercover officers to carry out a coordinated assault using AR-style rifles. He identified specific targets, including Jewish Chabad centers in New York City, and aimed to cause maximum casualties during the Jewish holidays of October 7 and 11.
Khan’s arrest came after he traveled across Canada in an attempt to reach the U.S.-Canada border. He was apprehended approximately 12 miles from the border in Ormstown, Canada. The complaint against Khan includes charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland praised the FBI’s investigative efforts and the swift action of Canadian law enforcement, stating that the plot represented a serious threat to public safety. FBI Director Christopher Wray reiterated the agency’s commitment to fighting terrorism, emphasizing the importance of working with international partners to prevent attacks.
The U.S. Department of Justice is currently seeking Khan’s extradition from Canada.
