A 19-year-old former Michigan Army National Guard member faces serious terrorism charges after allegedly planning a mass shooting at a U.S. military facility.
According to Fox News, Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said was arrested Tuesday after conducting drone surveillance near the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command facility in Warren, Michigan, as part of an alleged ISIS-inspired attack plan.
The Justice Department revealed that Said provided material assistance, including armor-piercing ammunition, firearms training, and tactical planning to undercover FBI agents whom he believed were ISIS supporters. His alleged plot involved detailed preparations for entering the military facility and selecting specific target buildings.
Former National Guard member's path to radicalization
Said enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard in September 2022 and attended basic training at Fort Moore in Georgia. After reporting to the Michigan Army National Guard Taylor Armory, he was discharged around December 2024.
FBI agents discovered Said's radical intentions through a covert search of his iPhone in July 2024. The search revealed Facebook messages where Said expressed his desire to "go for Jihad" and his membership in Telegram channels containing ISIS propaganda materials.
The suspect's communications with an undercover FBI agent, which began in June 2024, demonstrated his "longstanding desire to engage in violent jihad" either abroad or within the United States.
Detailed attack preparations revealed
Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division, emphasized the serious nature of the foiled plot. She stated:
This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS. Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. 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.
In April, Said allegedly provided specific instructions to undercover officers about ammunition requirements. He advised:
I recommend everyone have about seven magazines because you don't want to be in there and run out of ammo.
The suspect's preparation included training undercover employees on firearms usage and the construction of Molotov cocktails intended for the attack.
FBI investigation uncovers ISIS connection
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation, which revealed Said's extensive planning and commitment to the terrorist organization. Throughout their surveillance, agents documented his communications, training activities, and operational reconnaissance.
Said's arrest came after he launched a drone near the TACOM facility as part of his reconnaissance efforts. The surveillance operation marked a critical step in his alleged plot to carry out the attack.
The Justice Department has charged Said with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
A thwarted domestic terror plot unfolds
Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a former Michigan Army National Guard member, faces federal terrorism charges for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Detroit Arsenal military base. The 19-year-old suspect was arrested after conducting drone surveillance of the facility and providing tactical support, including ammunition and training, to individuals he believed were fellow ISIS supporters. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force successfully prevented the attack through careful investigation and undercover operations, leading to Said's arrest and subsequent charges that could result in up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
