Authorities in the United States have charged Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, a Pakistani national, with plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York City, in support of Daesh, according to The News and the US Department of Justice.
Khan was arrested in Ormstown, Quebec, by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Wednesday. He is accused of planning the attack with the intent of killing “as many Jewish people as possible.” He allegedly intended to travel from Canada to the US with automatic and semi-automatic weapons to execute the attack, as detailed in the indictment.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland noted that Khan had discussed his plans with two undercover law enforcement officers, revealing his goal to establish a “real offline cell” of Daesh supporters. He instructed them to acquire AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials, and identified specific targets for the attack. Khan, who faces up to 20 years in prison, is scheduled to appear in court in Montreal on September 13.
Garland expressed gratitude to Canadian authorities for their role in this case, emphasizing that Jewish communities, like all others, should not face threats of hate-fueled terrorism.
This development follows the recent charges against Asif Merchant, another Pakistani national, for alleged ties to Iran and involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate US politicians. Merchant, 46, reportedly sought to recruit individuals in the US to retaliate for the killing of Iran’s top commander, Qasem Soleimani, in 2020. According to sources, Merchant holds a Master’s degree in Management Systems and previously worked in the banking sector. He traveled to Iran multiple times from November 2, 2017, to April 8, 2024, using three different passports. Pakistani authorities have found no criminal record for him in Pakistan.
