(MENAFN) Two men in Michigan have been charged with plotting a mass shooting over Halloween weekend, allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group. Federal prosecutors identified the suspects as Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud. A third, unnamed juvenile is also implicated in the case.

According to court documents, the group scouted locations in a Detroit suburb and expressed support for ISIS online. They purchased semi-automatic firearms, more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition, and trained at a gun range. The defendants are scheduled to appear in Detroit court on Monday.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi described the case as “a major ISIS-linked terror plot,” noting that the suspects possessed multiple AR-15 rifles, tactical gear, and had “a detailed plan to carry out an attack on American soil.”

The 73-page Department of Justice charging document states that in September, the suspects visited Ferndale, a suburb known for its bars and restaurants, including venues popular with the LGBTQ+ community. Federal agents raided addresses linked to Ali and Mahmoud, recovering firearms, ammunition, GoPro cameras, and tactical vests.

Authorities say the investigation began last year and included monitoring phones, encrypted chats, and social media accounts with court-approved warrants. An FBI informant also participated in group calls involving the suspects.

Court filings indicate that in recent communications, the group referenced “pumpkin” as a code for the date of the planned attack, linking it to Halloween celebrations. Messages on WhatsApp reportedly included phrases such as, “We're gonna do it” and “I gotta do pumpkin for real,” allegedly showing intent to carry out the attack despite the risk of their own deaths.

Ali’s lawyer, Amir Makled, denied the allegations, telling a news outlet that his client “never planned or wanted to do, or impose any harm on any member of the community at any point.”

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