From Soldier to Suspect: The Shocking Tale Behind a Foiled Attack

Soldiers operating a drone in a desert environment

A 19-year-old former Michigan National Guard soldier was arrested while conducting drone surveillance of a U.S. military base, stopping an ISIS-inspired mass shooting plot just hours before it was set to be executed.

Key Takeaways

  • Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a former Michigan Army National Guard member, was arrested for planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command facility near Detroit.
  • Said conducted reconnaissance using drones and supplied armor-piercing ammunition to undercover FBI agents he believed were ISIS operatives.
  • Authorities arrested Said on May 13, 2025, the day of the planned attack, after he launched a drone near the military facility.
  • The suspect faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to destructive devices.
  • Intelligence agencies and counterterrorism measures successfully prevented what could have been a devastating attack against American military personnel.

ISIS-Inspired Plot Dismantled by Federal Agents

Federal authorities have thwarted what could have been a devastating terrorist attack against a major U.S. military installation in Michigan. Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, who served in the Michigan Army National Guard from September 2022 to December 2024, was arrested after extensive surveillance revealed his plans to carry out a mass shooting at the Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren. Said was discharged from the National Guard for failing to complete initial entry requirements, but apparently maintained his radical ideologies aligned with ISIS terrorist goals.

The suspect’s planning was meticulous and advanced, including reconnaissance using drones and stockpiling armor-piercing ammunition. Court documents reveal Said shared his deadly plans with individuals he believed were ISIS operatives but were actually undercover FBI agents. He provided these agents with armor-piercing ammunition, magazines, and training on firearms and Molotov cocktails, demonstrating both commitment and capability to execute a devastating attack against American military personnel.

Arrest Made Hours Before Planned Attack

Law enforcement officials arrested Said on May 13, 2025, the very day he planned to carry out his attack, as he was conducting final reconnaissance using a drone near the TACOM facility. The timing of the arrest underscores how close this plot came to execution and highlights the exceptional work of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in preventing what could have been a tragic mass casualty event. Said now faces serious federal charges that could result in decades behind bars if convicted.

“ISIS is a brutal terrorist organization which seeks to kill Americans. Helping ISIS or any other terrorist organization prepare or carry out acts of violence is not only a reprehensible crime – it is a threat to our entire nation and way of life. Our office will not tolerate such crimes or threats, and we will use the full weight of the law against anyone who engages in terrorism.” said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. ClickOnDetroit

The charges against Said include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. Said’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 28, 2025, where prosecutors will present their evidence against the former guardsman turned terrorist plotter.

National Security Implications and Response

This case represents a disturbing example of homegrown violent extremism and insider threats that have become a growing concern for national security professionals. The fact that Said had previously served in the Michigan National Guard raises serious questions about radicalization within military ranks and the effectiveness of vetting procedures. President Trump’s administration has repeatedly warned about the dangers of ISIS-inspired attacks on American soil, and this incident validates those concerns.

“This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS. Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Military leadership has responded with increased vigilance following this alarming plot. Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox emphasized the critical importance of counterintelligence efforts and urged all soldiers to remain vigilant against potential insider threats. The Michigan National Guard issued statements reaffirming their commitment to high professional standards and accountability. This case serves as a stark reminder that the war against Islamic terrorism continues, requiring unrelenting vigilance from both law enforcement and the American public to protect our military personnel and national security.

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