Suspects identified as Mohmed Ali, Majed Mahmoud in thwarted ISIS-inspired Michigan Halloween attack

Ali and Mahmoud have been charged with "receiving and transferring, and attempting and conspiring to transfer, firearms and ammunition knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the firearms and ammunition would be used to commit a Federal crime of terrorism."

An FBI affidavit stated that Ali and Mahmoud purchased multiple firearms and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition between August and September. The pair, along with a juvenile suspect known as "Person 1" and two unnamed co-conspirators, practiced shooting firearms at gun ranges in September and October. The affidavit stated that Person 1, Ali, and Mahmoud traveled together in September to "scout potential attack target locations in Ferndale, Michigan."

The five people used online encrypted communication apps and social media to "share extremist and ISIS-related materials that encourage attacks similar to what they planned. Further, Person 1 and Ali discussed when to conduct their attack, which they appeared to set for Halloween, and they sought guidance from the father of a local Islamic extremist ideologue (the 'Islamic Ideologue') on this question," the affidavit stated.

The FBI had opened an investigation into co-conspirator 1 in 2024, who during a July 27, 2025 group call held while he was overseas said, "Yeah we’re not coming back, bro we are gonna die there [in Syria] Inshallah … unless the Amir sends you to Paris for a 2015." The affidavit stated that the Paris comment likely refers to the November 13, 2015 ISIS terrorist attacks in Paris. "Athari," identified as Person 1, and "Bukhari," identified as Ali, said during the call that they were going to stay in the US and do the "Same thing as France" when asked by the co-conspirator if they were doing to travel overseas to join him, travel to Syria, and join ISIS. A person on the group call was an FBI Confidential Human Source.

Another call took place on September 22, 2025, during which co-conspirator 1 was asked if someone else was going to travel with them to Turkey. He replied that the member planned to travel but "has to deal with something first." He added, "It’s just getting a bit risky for him because … I don’t want to say anything on this call but … There’s going to be brothers doing something else while we go," the affidavit stated.

The affidavit added, "I believe the 'brothers doing something else' whom Co-conspirator 1 referenced were Person 1, Ali, and … Mahmoud and others."

The group allegedly spent multiple phone calls discussing a planned date for the attack, ultimately deciding on "pumpkin," which the FBI determined to be Halloween. Person 1 "called the father of the Islamic Ideologue" on October 29 and told him that Person 1 "had an intention to do [a] good deed and I was indecisive. I don’t know what day to do it. Maybe in a couple of months or earlier, a month." The two shared prayers and Person 1 said they decided to go at a later date, however, the father told Person 1 they should not wait and "do the good deed now."

FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News, "With today’s unsealed criminal complaint, the American people can see the results of months of tireless investigative work where the FBI acted quickly and likely saved many lives. We’ll continue to follow the facts, uphold the law, and deliver justice for the American people."

Ali, Mahmoud Affidavit by Hannah Nightingale