Man accused of plotting attack on MOA makes first court appearance

Man accused of plotting attack on MOA makes first court appearance By KSTP Man accused of plotting attack on MOA makes first court appearance The man accused of plotting a terrorist attack at Mall of America and pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State group made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, made his first appearance before a federal judge on Wednesday afternoon in St. Paul after being arrested by FBI agents on Tuesday.RELATED: Prosecutors charge man accused of plotting attack on Mall of AmericaCredit: Cedric HohnstadtThe criminal complaint alleges that Mohamud messaged an informant for nearly two years, discussing his hatred of non-Muslims and his desire to align with an Islamic terror group.Messages indicated he planned to target the Hmong Arts Celebration at Mall of America on Oct. 24 because “it will be a lot of people.” Prosecutors say he aimed to kill 30 to 60 people.He is currently in custody and is charged with purchasing a firearm to commit a crime of terrorism in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization.Mohamud is scheduled to appear before a judge on Oct. 19.5 EYEWITNESS NEWS tried to speak with those who attended Mohamud’s first appearance for him, but they declined to comment.