A former Michigan Army National Guard member was arrested just outside a U.S. military facility after allegedly plotting a violent attack in support of the Islamic State group.
As reported by Breitbart News, authorities say undercover agents prevented a mass shooting planned by 19-year-old Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, targeting a military base in Warren, Michigan, using drones, firearms, and explosives.
Said, a resident of Melvindale, Michigan, was arrested on May 13 near the Detroit Arsenal, home to the Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM). Authorities took him into custody shortly after he launched a drone, which investigators say was part of his planning for an intended assault.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed the arrest in a criminal complaint filed on May 14. Said is charged with attempting to support a designated foreign terrorist organization and sharing information about how to build destructive devices. According to officials, he detailed his attack plans to two people he believed were ISIS operatives, who were actually undercover law enforcement officers monitoring him for several months.
Drone Reconnaissance and Ammunition Transfers Detailed
Throughout April, Said reportedly worked closely with the individuals he thought were his co-conspirators. Among his efforts, prosecutors say, were providing armor-piercing rounds and magazines, guiding drone flights above TACOM, and showing officers how to use firearms and make incendiary devices.
According to the complaint, Said played a central role in operational planning. He is accused of organizing building-specific targeting approaches and identifying tactical entry points into TACOM facilities.
Authorities say the intention behind the attack was to inflict maximum damage and loss of life among U.S. service members. Said allegedly acknowledged to officers that he did not expect to survive the assault, stating, “There’s no coming out. It’s a one-way entrance.”
Law Enforcement Foils Attack Before Execution
On May 13—the day the assault was scheduled to occur—law enforcement intervened before Said could carry out the plan. The arrest took place shortly after the suspect launched the drone during what prosecutors believe was a final reconnaissance mission of the military base.
His initial court appearance is scheduled for May 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Federal authorities plan to argue that Said poses both a flight risk and a danger to the community and are expected to request pretrial detention.
Sue J. Bai, who leads the DOJ’s National Security Division, acknowledged the coordinated effort that averted what she described as a “deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS.”
Federal Prosecutors Cite National Security Risks
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost,” Bai said in a statement accompanying the DOJ’s announcement. “We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans.”
The complaint describes how Said became increasingly committed to the operational details of the mission over time, even engaging the undercover agents with critical information meant for the effective execution of the attack.
Authorities say his statements reflected a willingness to die for the cause he believed he was serving. This level of commitment led the DOJ to identify him as a serious and immediate threat to national security.
Investigation Occurred Amid Broader Terror Developments
The arrest occurred during a period of heightened concern about ISIS-related activities after recent announcements from U.S. officials. In March, former President Donald Trump reported the killing of an ISIS leader who had been hiding in Iraq.
Trump stated that the individual was "relentlessly hunted down by intrepid warfighters." He added that the operation was carried out “in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government.” The former president emphasized strength as a deterrent in his comment, concluding, “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”
Legal Proceedings and Public Safety Implications
Said’s upcoming court appearance marks the beginning of what could be a lengthy legal process. If convicted, he faces substantial prison time under federal terrorism statutes. Law enforcement and counterterrorism officials emphasized the importance of sting operations and surveillance methods in navigating threats associated with radical ideologies. Federal investigators have assured the public that no further immediate threats tied to this case exist, but they continue to monitor for any indicators of linked activity.
