A former Michigan National Guard member conducted drone surveillance of a Detroit military base and supplied armor-piercing ammunition to undercover agents, planning a mass shooting attack in support of ISIS before being arrested by federal authorities just moments before launching his deadly assault.
Key Takeaways
- Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, was arrested for planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at a Detroit area military base after conducting drone surveillance and providing armor-piercing ammunition to undercover agents.
- Said faces charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to destructive devices, with each count carrying up to 20 years in prison.
- The target was the Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, with the arrest made on May 13, 2025, the planned day of the attack.
- Said served in the Michigan Army National Guard from September 2022 to December 2024 before being discharged for failing to complete initial entry requirements.
- Federal agents successfully infiltrated the plot with undercover officers posing as ISIS operatives, allowing them to prevent the attack before it occurred.
Plot Details and Arrest
Federal authorities have arrested 19-year-old Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said for plotting a mass shooting at the Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command facility in Warren, Michigan. The former Michigan Army National Guard member allegedly planned the ISIS-inspired attack with what he believed were fellow ISIS operatives, but were actually undercover FBI agents. Said conducted reconnaissance of the military installation using a drone and supplied the undercover agents with armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the planned attack.
The arrest occurred on May 13, 2025, the very day Said intended to carry out the attack. Law enforcement intercepted him just after he launched his surveillance drone near the TACOM facility, preventing what could have been a devastating assault on American military personnel. The timing of the arrest demonstrates the close monitoring federal agents maintained throughout their investigation and their commitment to neutralizing the threat before it could materialize into violence.
Military Background and ISIS Connection
Said’s connection to the Michigan Army National Guard raises significant security concerns about potential insider threats to our military installations. He served from September 2022 to December 2024 before being discharged for failing to complete initial entry requirements. This brief military service nonetheless provided him with knowledge of military protocols and access to training that could have made his planned attack more dangerous. The case highlights vulnerabilities in our military vetting processes and the ongoing threat of Islamic radicalization.
“ISIS is a brutal terrorist organization which seeks to kill Americans. Helping ISIS or any other terrorist organization prepare or carry out acts of violence is not only a reprehensible crime – it is a threat to our entire nation and way of life. Our office will not tolerate such crimes or threats, and we will use the full weight of the law against anyone who engages in terrorism,” said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
According to court documents, Said not only provided weapons and ammunition but also trained the undercover agents on firearms and the manufacture of Molotov cocktails. His actions demonstrate a deep commitment to violent jihad and the ISIS cause, despite being born and raised in the United States. This case underscores the persistent national security threat posed by homegrown terrorists who have been radicalized by foreign terrorist organizations through online propaganda.
Investigation and National Security Implications
The successful prevention of this attack highlights the critical importance of counterterrorism operations and the vigilance of federal law enforcement agencies. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force worked in conjunction with U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command to infiltrate Said’s plot and gather evidence against him. This interagency cooperation proved essential in identifying and neutralizing the threat before it could be executed, saving potentially dozens of American lives.
“This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS. Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division
Said now faces up to 20 years in prison on each count if convicted. His preliminary court hearing is scheduled for May 28, 2025. The seriousness of these charges reflects President Trump’s administration’s commitment to aggressive prosecution of terrorism cases and protecting our military installations from those who seek to harm American service members. As illegal immigration continues to pose security risks, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our borders and thoroughly vetting those who serve in our military.
