A man residing in south Minneapolis has been charged in Hennepin County District Court with a felony count of threats of violence after making threats to bomb the Mall of America and Minneapolis schools, charges say.
The criminal complaint states:
On Oct. 11, Niman Ali Ahmed, 24, called 911 and stated that he made multiple bombs at home and he was planning on bombing the Mall of America and different schools in Minneapolis the following day.
Ahmed said he was planning the acts “to get payback for the killing of George Floyd.” Ahmed claimed he was part of a group that was going to carry out the acts and that he was also part of a group chat with people who were planning terrorist attacks at the Mall of America. Ahmed said he had demons and they were telling him to do things.
Ahmed also stated he was going to travel to Washington, D.C. to assassinate the president and that the United States has been an enemy of his since he was a child. Ahmed claimed to be a part of a terrorist group in Ethiopia as a child.
Police were able to determine that the calls were coming from a residence on East 22nd Street, which is listed as Ahmed’s address in court documents.
Police contacted Ahmed by phone, and he initially said he wasn’t home and “you will not find us.” Ahmed eventually hung up the phone and police couldn’t contact him again but reached a relative of Ahmed’s who said he was inside the home.
Ahmed eventually exited the residence and was detained. When asked about the threats, Ahmed told police that his friend said he should call 911 and make the threats.
A search warrant was subsequently executed where digital electronics were found but no explosives.
Ahmed made his first court appearance on Friday and requested a language interpreter. Ahmed was also granted a public defender and unconditional bail was set at $1 million.
Judge Mark Kappelhoff ordered a psychological competency evaluation to determine Ahmed’s capacity to participate in the legal proceedings.
Ahmed remains in custody, and his next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17 where the results of the competency evaluation are expected to be presented.
Earlier this month, federal authorities charged 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud after the FBI said he was plotting a terrorist attack at Mall of America to kill non-Muslims in support of ISIS.
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Minneapolis/Twin Cities Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
