Federal investigators prevented a real-life Halloween horror by busting at least five terror plotters inspired by ISIS in Michigan early Friday, sources familiar with the operation told The Post.
“This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.
“Thanks to the men and women of FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7 and crushing our mission to defend the homeland.”
Authorities raided three homes in the Detroit suburbs of Dearborn and Inkster and recovered weapons including legally owned guns, the sources said.
Those arrested were described as home-grown radicals, but authorities were investigating possible foreign contacts of the suspects.
FBI and Michigan State Police vehicles were spotted in a neighborhood near Fordson High School in Dearborn. Investigators walked in and out of a house, with one official collecting paper bags and other items from an evidence truck.
The alleged plotters spoke of launching a “pumpkin day” assault while they were under round-the-clock FBI surveillance and trained at a local shooting range, the sources said.
A juvenile was among those arrested, two people familiar with the investigation told The Post, with one source specifying that suspect is 16 years old.
There was internal dissent within the group about whether they should go ahead with an attack on Halloween, with some believing they needed more time to prepare, the sources said.
It’s unclear how well-developed any attack plans were, with one source saying targets did not appear to have been picked out. --->READ MORE HERE
 |
| Mike Householder/AP |
Multiple people who had been allegedly plotting a violent attack over the Halloween weekend were arrested Friday in Michigan, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post.
The law enforcement effort was focused on suburban Detroit. Patel said more information would be released later.
Investigators believe the plot was inspired by Islamic State extremism and are investigating whether those in custody were potentially radicalized online, according to two people briefed on the investigation who could not publicly discuss details. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
FBI and state police vehicles were in a neighborhood near Fordson High School in Dearborn. People wearing shirts marked FBI walked in and out of a house, including one person who collected paper bags and other items from an evidence truck.
Police in Inkster, another suburb, said FBI personnel were at a storage facility there.
“There is no current threat to public safety,” said Jordan Hall, an FBI spokesperson in Detroit, who declined further comment.
The investigation involved discussion in an online chatroom involving at least some of the suspects who were taken into custody, people familiar with the investigation told AP. The group had discussed carrying out an attack around Halloween, referring to “pumpkin day,” according to one of the people. The other person briefed on the investigation confirmed that there had been a “pumpkin” reference.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the group had the means to carry out an attack, but the reference to Halloween prompted the FBI to make arrests Friday, one of the people said. --->READ MORE HERE
If you like what you see, please "Like" and/or Follow us on FACEBOOK here, GETTR here, and TWITTER here.
No comments:
Post a Comment