New York, Apr 9: Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, aka ‘Shahzeb Jadoon’, a 21-year-old Pakistani national from Canada, pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempting acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. He faces life in prison for plotting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at a prominent Brooklyn Jewish center around the October 7, 2024, anniversary of Hamas attacks on Israel—boasting it could be the biggest US strike since 9/11.
Khan admitted planning to enter the US illegally via a human smuggler, arming himself with AR-style rifles, ammo, and knives to target “Israeli Jewish Chabad” sites in NYC for its large Jewish population. He coordinated with undercover officers (unbeknownst to him), shared ISIS propaganda, specified attack locations, and aimed to “slaughter them” in support of ISIS, retaliating for Israel’s Gaza actions.
In September 2024, Khan was arrested 12 miles from the US-Canada border in Ormstown, Canada, en route from Toronto.
During the hearing before US District Judge Paul Gardephe, Khan expressed regret: “I was not raised this way… plotting to kill Jewish people was terrible, dangerous, and morally reprehensible.” He detailed renting space next to the center. Sentencing is set for August 12.
Assistant AG for National Security John Eisenberg noted Khan’s goal to kill as many Jews as possible. FBI officials highlighted the plot’s interception amid NYC’s Jewish community vulnerabilities.
Khan began plotting in November 2023 via social media, shifting targets to Brooklyn in August 2024.
