A 20-year-old Pakistani citizen living in Canada has been arrested and charged with planning an attack on a Jewish center in New York City, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday. The alleged plot, seemingly timed to coincide with the first anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, highlights ongoing concerns about targeted violence against Jewish communities.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested Wednesday in Ormstown, Quebec, by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Khan’s alleged intention was to kill “as many Jewish people as possible” in an attack planned for around October 7, 2024.
According to the indictment, Khan attempted to travel from Canada to the United States with the intent to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the attack. He allegedly communicated his plans to two undercover law enforcement officers, detailing intentions to create “a real offline cell” of Islamic State supporters.
The indictment further alleges that Khan instructed the undercover officers to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials necessary for the attack. He reportedly identified specific locations in Brooklyn for the planned assault, targeting New York City due to its having “the largest Jewish population in America.”
If convicted, Khan faces up to 20 years in prison. The Department of Justice has not confirmed whether Khan has obtained legal counsel. He is scheduled to appear in court in Montreal on September 13.
Attorney General Garland expressed gratitude to Canadian law enforcement for their cooperation, stating, “Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack.”
This case emerges against a backdrop of increased tensions and reported rises in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents across North America since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel. That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and triggered an ongoing Israeli military response that has reportedly led to over 40,000 Palestinian casualties.
The timing of the alleged plot, seemingly aimed to coincide with the first anniversary of the Hamas attack, underscores the persistent threat of ideologically motivated violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such acts.
