Exposing how radical Islamic extremists continue to exploit our open society to plan mass murder on U.S. soil, federal authorities have arrested five terrorists linked to an ISIS-inspired Halloween attack plot that targeted American families and the LGBTQ community.
Story Highlights
- Five ISIS-linked terrorists were arrested for plotting Halloween attacks on American civilians.
- Suspects purchased firearms and practiced at gun ranges while planning mass casualties.
- Targets included LGBTQ venues and Cedar Point amusement park during peak Halloween crowds.
- One terrorist was arrested while attempting to flee to Turkey en route to ISIS training in Syria.
Multi-State Terror Network Exposed
Federal prosecutors in New Jersey and Michigan announced charges against three additional suspects, bringing the total arrests to five in connection with the thwarted ISIS-inspired attack.
The latest arrests include New Jersey teenagers Tomas Kaan Guzel, 19, and Milo Sedanet, 19, as well as Ayob Nasser, 19, from Dearborn, Michigan. This follows Friday’s arrests of Nasser’s brother, Mohmed Ali, and Majed Mahmoud, both also from Dearborn. The coordinated law enforcement response demonstrates the serious threat these domestic terrorists pose to innocent Americans.
NEW: More on the thwarted Halloween terror plot — six suspects now charged in 3 states. Two of them had tickets to Turkey and were already on FBI's radar. Allegedly joked about FBI reading their group chat and blurred their own faces while sharing jihadi-style selfies. pic.twitter.com/F0vDedhnSz
— Michael Ruiz (@mikerreports) November 6, 2025
Armed and Dangerous Preparation
The Michigan suspects methodically prepared for their planned massacre by purchasing firearms, ammunition, and tactical accessories while regularly practicing at shooting ranges.
According to the 92-page federal complaint, the terrorists used encrypted communications to share ISIS propaganda and coordinate their deadly plans, referring to their attack scheme by the code word “pumpkin.” Their systematic approach to acquiring weapons and training reveals the calculated nature of their intended violence against American civilians during one of the year’s most family-friendly celebrations.
Targeting American Families and Communities
The terror cell conducted reconnaissance missions at multiple locations, including LGBTQ venues in Ferndale, Michigan, and Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio.
Ali specifically searched for clubs serving the LGBTQ community and researched the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, indicating their intent to replicate that horrific attack.
The suspects also scouted Cedar Point during Halloween weekend, searching whether the park would be “crowded on halloweekend,” demonstrating their desire to maximize casualties among families enjoying seasonal festivities with their children.
International Terror Connections Revealed
NYPD undercover officers had been monitoring Guzel, who maintained communications with the Michigan cell and ISIS operatives overseas. New Jersey Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba revealed that Guzel planned to travel to Turkey and then Syria for ISIS training, accelerating his departure after learning of the Michigan arrests.
Evidence includes photographs of Guzel posing with knives in front of ISIS flags, while Sedanet possessed tactical gear, weapons collections, and had sent antisemitic messages advocating violence. These connections underscore how international terrorist networks continue attempting to radicalize and recruit American youth for attacks on U.S. soil.
