A 21-year-old Pakistani national has pleaded guilty to attempting to carry out an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, federal officials announced Wednesday.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, admitted in federal court to attempting to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. Prosecutors said Khan planned to enter the United States and carry out a large-scale attack targeting the Jewish community in New York City. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 12, 2026.
Plot to Target Brooklyn Jewish Center
According to court filings, Khan initially began expressing support for ISIS in November 2023 while living in Canada, posting propaganda and communicating with others about potential attacks.
Authorities said he later developed plans to carry out a coordinated shooting using AR-style rifles, targeting Jewish religious sites. He communicated extensively with individuals he believed were collaborators, but who were actually undercover law enforcement officers.
By August 2024, Khan shifted his focus to New York City, identifying a prominent Jewish religious center in Brooklyn as his primary target. Investigators said he intended to carry out the attack around October 7, 2024, marking the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel.
Khan allegedly directed undercover officers to obtain weapons, ammunition, and other materials, including knives, and discussed methods to maximize casualties. He also shared images of a specific area inside the targeted location where he planned to carry out the attack.
Arrest Near U.S.-Canada Border
Authorities said Khan arranged to be smuggled across the U.S.-Canada border to execute the plan.
On Sept. 4, 2024, he traveled from the Toronto area toward the border before being intercepted and arrested in Ormstown, Canada, approximately 12 miles from entering the United States.
He was later extradited to the United States in June 2025 to face federal charges.
Federal Charges and Potential Sentence
Khan pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Federal officials emphasized that the plot was disrupted before Khan could reach U.S. soil or carry out any attack.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with multiple federal, state, and international partners, including Canadian authorities.
What Comes Next
Khan remains in federal custody and is expected to be sentenced in August. Prosecutors said the case underscores ongoing efforts to identify and stop terrorism threats before they can be carried out.
