• Two Michigan men charged with an ISIS-inspired plot for a mass shooting over Halloween.
• Suspects purchased firearms and scouted locations in Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit.
• The plot involved plans expressed via encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
• A third unnamed defendant, described as a juvenile, is also implicated.
• Authorities are investigating at least five individuals linked to the terrorist plot.

Federal prosecutors have charged two men, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, for their involvement in an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist plot in Michigan aimed at carrying out a mass shooting over the Halloween weekend. The suspects scouted potential targets in Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit, and have expressed support for the Islamic State group online, according to court documents Reuters and BBC.

Prosecutors allege that Ali and Mahmoud bought semi-automatic firearms, more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition, and underwent shooting training to prepare for the attack. The court document indicates that they used encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, to discuss their plans for the attack, which they referred to as "pumpkin," meaning Halloween India Times.

In addition to Ali and Mahmoud, court documents mention a third defendant, a juvenile, whose identity remains undisclosed. Federal agents raided locations linked to the suspects, recovering firearms, tactical gear, and cameras, reinforcing the consistency of the case against them Reuters and BBC.

The investigation, which has been ongoing since last year, also included monitoring communications through court warrants that allowed officials to access encrypted chats and social media related to the suspects. Ali and Mahmoud were reportedly aware that their planned attack could result in serious consequences India Times.