Nov 3, 2025 - Politics & Policy

2 suspects charged in alleged Michigan Halloween terror attack

Julianna Bragg

FBI agent wearing a black shirt, "FBI" vest and "FBI" hat — A FBI agent stands watch in the front yard as law enforcement searches a home in Dearborn, Michigan, on October 31, 2025, after the FBI said it "thwarted" a potential terror plot. Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

Two Dearborn men are facing federal charges Monday after allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in Michigan over Halloween weekend using the code name "pumpkin."

The big picture: The men have been charged with "receiving and transferring, and attempting and conspiring to transfer, firearms and ammunition," with reason to believe the supplies would be used to commit an act of terrorism, according to the 73-page criminal complaint.

Mohmed Ali, Majed Mahmoud, and an unnamed juvenile allegedly exchanged third-party messages from July through October, in which others referred to them as "brothers" planning a terrorist attack in the U.S. on behalf of ISIS, the complaint said.

The other side: Michigan defense lawyer Amir Makled, who was representing one of the suspects still detained on Saturday, said the FBI hasn't given him many details on the investigation, AP reported.

He added that after reviewing the information, he concluded that the all-male group of 16 to 20-year-olds were merely U.S. citizen "gamers."
Makled did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

What's inside: According to the complaint, Ali allegedly purchased an AR-15-style rifle, a shotgun and several firearm accessories in September, including a "forced reset trigger that allows a shooter to increase the rate of fire in a semiautomatic weapon."

Later in October, Ali also purchased "1,600 rounds of ammunition that could be used in the AR-15 style rifles," according to the complaint, adding that both suspects reportedly practiced at multiple shooting ranges in September and October.
On Halloween, the FBI said it found various guns, including three AR-15 style rifles, ammunition, tactical vests and two GoPro cameras at the men's residences, along with additional materials found in a storage unit supposedly rented by Ali, the filing said.

What they're saying: "Our newly unsealed complaint reveals a major ISIS-linked terror plot with multiple subjects arrested in the Eastern District of Michigan targeting the United States," Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X.

"Thanks to the extraordinary diligence of our US Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr., the FBI and state and local law enforcement officers, this plot was stopped before innocent lives were lost."
"This FBI acted fast, followed the evidence, and likely saved countless lives," Patel said on X.

What's next: Ali and Mahmoud are expected to appear in court on Monday afternoon.

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2 suspects charged in alleged Michigan Halloween terror attack

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