On Friday, Oct. 31, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) successfully foiled a suspected ISIS-inspired terror plot just before Halloween weekend, arresting multiple men in Michigan.
Investigators said the suspects had discussed attack plans in online chat rooms, practiced rapid magazine changes with AK-47 rifles at shooting ranges, and referred to “Pumpkin Day,” believed to be a code for Halloween.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X, stating: “This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend. More details to come.”
Two law enforcement officials told CNN that the plot was indeed inspired by ISIS and initially organized in an online chat room. According to one official, two suspects have already been arrested, while three others are being questioned. The official added that FBI undercover agents had infiltrated the chat room early in the investigation to monitor discussions.
ABC News reported that the suspects are between the ages of 16 and 20.
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CNN’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller noted that FBI agents from the Detroit Field Office conducted arrests and executed search warrants from Thursday night into Friday morning. Miller cited briefings indicating that the investigation had begun months earlier and that the suspects maintained both domestic and overseas contacts, potentially linking them to ISIS.
While the suspects debated launching an ISIS-inspired attack in the U.S., their specific targets, timing, and methods remained undecided. The FBI moved in after discovering that some suspects had brought AK-47s and other weapons to a shooting range for extensive practice, including tactical rapid magazine changes, and were overheard referencing “Pumpkin Day.”
FBI Detroit Field Office spokesperson Jordan Hall confirmed to CNN that law enforcement actions took place Friday morning in Dearborn and Inkster, Michigan, emphasizing that there is currently no threat to public safety.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer posted on X that she had been briefed by Director Patel and expressed gratitude for the swift response of the FBI and state police.
“I am grateful for the swift and coordinated response of the FBI and Michigan State Police, which prevented a potential threat to our communities” Whitmer wrote. “As more details emerge, we will continue to prioritize the safety of Michigan residents. I commend the dedication of our law enforcement partners in keeping Michiganders safe.”
By Gao Yun
