Michigan Halloween Terror Plot: What We Know

Federal prosecutors in Michigan have released new photographic evidence documenting how two men Federal prosecutors in Michigan have released new photographic evidence documenting how two men allegedly trained, purchased weapons, and prepared for an ISIS-inspired Halloween terror attack before they were arrested in late October.

This story is a follow-up to our earlier coverage, FBI: Michigan Terror Plot Arrests Update, which first detailed the arrests and initial findings surrounding the planned Halloween attack. The newly released FBI complaint expands on that reporting with photographs, receipts, and detailed timelines from federal investigators.

The 73-page FBI criminal complaint, filed November 1, 2025, in the Eastern District of Michigan, details the planning, weapons buys, and range activity of Mohmed Ali of Dearborn and Majed Mahmoud, a 17-year-old referred to in court filings as “Athari.” The pair now face federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 924(h) for transferring or receiving firearms and ammunition knowing they would be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism.

According to the affidavit, agents tracked multiple weapons purchases, range visits, and encrypted messages between the suspects during a six-week investigation.

Weapons Purchases and Timeline

August 2025: Ali purchased a Beretta A300 Ultima Competition 12-gauge shotgun, followed by a PSA “Sabre” 5.56 rifle and multiple optics and parts.
September 2025: Mahmoud purchased a Palmetto State Armory 5.56 rifle and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition, along with red-dot optics and a weapon-mounted light.
October 2025: Investigators observed both suspects at Downriver Guns, a range in Belleville and Brownstown, for multiple live-fire sessions.
October 31, 2025: Federal agents executed search warrants and seized several rifles, handguns, and tactical equipment consistent with the weapons pictured in the complaint.

Range and Surveillance Evidence

Embedded images in the FBI filing show the suspects at the counter and on the firing line at Downriver Guns, handling rifles and ammunition. Two FBI agents witnessed at least one of the sessions in person and confirmed the footage as authentic.

The photographs and receipts correspond directly to timestamps in the affidavit, documenting activity on September 25, October 8, October 16, and October 24, 2025. Investigators say these sessions were part of a coordinated effort to improve firearms proficiency ahead of an attack planned for Halloween night, codenamed “Pumpkin.”

Recovered Firearms

Among the seized items were:

Three AR-15-style rifles with optics
Two shotguns
Four handguns
Tactical vests, GoPros, and spare magazines

Images from the complaint show one rifle retrieved from Ali’s iCloud account, fully outfitted with optics, a foregrip, and attachments matching parts listed in purchase records.

Federal Case Status

The case, United States v. Ali and Mahmoud (25-30673), is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan under federal terrorism statutes. Prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether the juvenile suspect will be charged as an adult.

Both defendants remain in custody pending detention hearings.

Editorial Closing

The FBI’s evidence paints a detailed picture of premeditated radicalization and local preparation—an attack that could have brought tragedy to Michigan neighborhoods had it not been stopped in time. The photos and receipts serve as a stark reminder that modern extremism doesn’t require foreign camps or distant borders—it can grow quietly in the open, one range visit and one receipt at a time.