A Pakistani man, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge in Manhattan federal court. He admitted to plotting an attack on a Jewish center in Brooklyn, motivated by his support for the Islamic State group and a desire to retaliate against Israel.

Guilty Plea and Motivation

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 21, expressed remorse for his plot to attack a Brooklyn Jewish center. He admitted to supporting the Islamic State group by planning to use automatic weapons to kill Jewish people in response to the group’s call for violence.

Arrest and Timeline

Khan pleaded guilty on Wednesday, over a year and a half after his arrest in Canada on September 4, 2024, near Ormstown, Quebec. He was brought to the United States to face charges. He had initially arrived in Toronto, Canada, in June 2023 on a student visa, after obtaining it in May 2023.

Planned Attack Details

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that Khan intended the mass shooting to coincide with the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, aiming to maximize Jewish casualties. Khan, also known as “Shahzeb Jadoon,” reportedly boasted about his ambition to execute the most significant attack on American soil since September 11.

Confession and Remorse

During the plea hearing before Judge Paul G. Gardephe, Khan confessed to attempting to commit acts of terrorism that extended beyond national borders. He acknowledged his plan to cross the border from Canada to the United States in September 2024 to target Jewish individuals in Brooklyn.

Khan expressed regret, stating that plotting to kill Jewish people was “a terrible, extremely dangerous and morally reprehensible idea.” He also expressed remorse for planning to rent a space near the targeted Jewish center.

Sentencing and Investigation

Sentencing is scheduled for August 12, and Khan faces a potential life sentence. The investigation began in November 2023 when investigators became aware of Khan’s online activity expressing support for the Islamic State group.

Online Communications and Target

Khan communicated with undercover law enforcement officers, stating New York was “perfect to target jews” due to its large Jewish population. His online writings included statements like “we are going to nyc to slaughter them.” He had planned to target a prominent Jewish religious center in Brooklyn, which he referred to as the “ultra orthodox hasidic jews world headquarters.”

U.S. authorities stated Khan planned to use firearms and knives to carry out the attack, supporting the Islamic State group. This case highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of international collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts.