An ex-Army National Guard soldier was apprehended close to a US military facility on the day he intended to execute a mass shooting attack inspired by ISIS.
He allegedly collected armor-piercing ammunition and instructed two individuals on bomb-making prior to his thwarted terrorist scheme, as reported by the Department of Justice.
Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, previously served in the Michigan Army National Guard from 2022 until he was discharged in December 2024.
The former National Guardsman initiated conversations with undercover FBI agents pretending to be ISIS sympathizers in June 2024 during his time in service, according to a legal document lodged in federal court.
He allegedly told the undercover agent about his desire to wage jihad.
In October, Said first told undercover investigators about a plan to attack the US Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command at the Detroit Armory in Warren, Michigan, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said.
Said mentioned that if he had traveled abroad to attack Americans, he would only get to “kill two, three, four other soldiers, but over here [in the United States], it’s like, it’s a dream,” per the complaint.
He told agents that he was “fed up with this country” and that it was either “victory or martyrdom,” per the complaint.
Once the plan was disclosed to them, undercover agents told Said they would carry out his plan under the direction of ISIS.
They spent months planning the attack, with Said allegedly offering help with strategy, equipment, and surveillance, according to the complaint.
After getting confirmation from the agents, Said allegedly provided armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the attack.
Agents reported that he also trained them on how to build Molotov cocktails.
“For us, whether they’re armed or not, it’s shoot-to-kill,” Said allegedly told the agents.
The 19-year-old also flew his drone over the area “to conduct operational reconnaissance” and provided the undercover agents with details on how to get into the base, law enforcement reported.
The suspect told agents that he believed the plan would result in the deaths of “many American citizens,” per the complaint.
After providing planning, guidance, and materials for the attack, Said told the undercover agents that the shooting would occur on May 13 at 10 am, according to the complaint.
Said arrived to the planned scene of the attack on Tuesday dressed in black clothing, agents reported.
He drove to the scene with one of the undercover agents and launched his drone to survey the area before attacking, the complaint stated.
Statement from the Michigan National Guard
The Michigan National Guard told The U.S. Sun:
“The Michigan National Guard is an organization built on a foundation of trust, integrity and accountability. We hold all members to the highest professional standards, and when those standards are not met, we act in accordance with the law and our internal policies.
“Mr. Ammar Said enlisted as a member of the Michigan Army National Guard in 2022. He was involuntarily discharged for failing to complete initial entry requirements.”
Shortly after launching the drone, law enforcement arrested the 19-year-old.
A ‘REPREHENSIBLE CRIME’
US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said that anyone working with a terrorist organization such as ISIS to carry out violence has committed a “reprehensible crime.”
“Our office will not tolerate such crimes or threats, and we will use the full weight of the law against anyone who engages in terrorism,” Gorgon stated in a DOJ press release.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Timeline of events
Former Michigan Army National Guard soldier Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said was arrested on Tuesday for plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on the Detroit Armory in Michigan. Here’s how federal agents stopped the planned mass shooting.
- September 2022: Said enlists in the Michigan Army National Guard and begins Basic Training at Fort Moore, Georgia
- October 2023: A message was found on Said’s phone where he wrote he wants “to go for Jihad”
- June 2024: Said first allegedly contacts an undercover FBI agent, whom he believes to be an ISIS supporter
- October 2024: The 19-year-old first mentions his attack plan to the undercover agent, according to the complaint
- November 2024: Said allegedly offers material and training to the personnel, including teaching them how to build a Molotov cocktail
- December 2024: Said is discharged from the National Guard
- May 13, 2025: The suspect is arrested at the scene of the planned attack
“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 suspect was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device.
“The arrest of this former Soldier is a sobering reminder of the importance of our counterintelligence efforts to identify and disrupt those who would seek to harm our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command.
“I commend the tireless work of our special agents and FBI partners who worked together to investigate and apprehend this individual. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We urge all Soldiers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their chain of command, as the safety and security of our Army and our nation depends on our collective efforts to prevent insider threats.”
Said faces up to 20 years in prison per charge if he’s found guilty.
