On May 13, 2025, authorities arrested 19-year-old Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a Michigan man accused of planning a mass shooting at a U.S. military base in Warren, Michigan, just north of Detroit. The arrest thwarted an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist plot, ensuring the safety of the targeted facility and its personnel. Here’s what you need to know about this alarming incident.
Who Is Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said?
Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a resident of Melvindale, Michigan, is a former member of the Michigan Army National Guard. He enlisted in September 2022, underwent basic training at Fort Moore, Georgia, and served briefly before being discharged in December 2024. The reasons for his discharge remain undisclosed. Said allegedly expressed a desire to engage in “violent jihad” either abroad or in the U.S., which drew the attention of the FBI in June 2024.
When and Where Did This Happen?
Said was arrested on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, moments after launching a drone near the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) facility, also known as the Detroit Arsenal, in Warren, Michigan. The TACOM base manages the Army’s supply chain for tanks and employs thousands of personnel, making it a significant military hub. His arrest followed months of planning, during which he unknowingly collaborated with two undercover FBI agents posing as ISIS operatives.
Why Did He Plan the Attack?
According to court documents, Said’s plot was motivated by his allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). He reportedly told undercover agents he was “fed up with this country” and sought to carry out a mass shooting to support the terrorist organization’s agenda. His plan involved using armor-piercing ammunition, Molotov cocktails, and assault-style weapons to maximize casualties. Said even acknowledged he might not survive the attack, stating to undercover agents, “There’s no coming out. It’s a one-way entrance.”
Where Is He Now?
Said is currently in federal custody, having made his initial court appearance on May 14, 2025, in the U.S. District Court in Detroit. Prosecutors have charged him with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device. Each charge carries a potential 20-year prison sentence if convicted. Authorities have requested pretrial detention, citing Said as a danger to the community and a flight risk.
3 Unique Facts About This Case
- Detailed Planning with Undercover Agents: Said spent months outlining his attack, providing undercover FBI agents with handwritten diagrams of the TACOM facility, training them in firearm use, and supplying armor-piercing ammunition. He also flew a drone over the base for reconnaissance, unaware his “partners” were law enforcement.
- FBI’s Proactive Investigation: The FBI began monitoring Said in June 2024 after he expressed jihadist intentions to an undercover agent. A secret search of his phone in July 2024, conducted when he surrendered it before boarding a military flight, revealed references to jihad and images of ISIS flags, escalating the investigation.
- Community Shock in Melvindale: Neighbors in Melvindale, a small city near Detroit, were stunned by Said’s arrest. Many described him as unassuming, with one neighbor telling FOX 2 Detroit, “I never expected it from someone living just steps away.” The close-knit community is grappling with the reality of a terrorism plot unfolding in their backyard.
Additional Important Information
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, played a critical role in foiling the attack. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized the severity of the threat, stating, “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.”
Said’s plot involved detailed logistics, including entry points, target buildings, and open-air maintenance bays where Abrams tanks are stored. His actions underscore the ongoing challenge of insider threats, particularly from individuals with military training. Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, called the arrest “a sobering reminder of the importance of our counterintelligence efforts to identify and disrupt those who would seek to harm our nation.”
As the case progresses, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 28, 2025. Federal authorities continue to investigate whether Said had additional accomplices or connections to ISIS beyond his communications with undercover agents.
This incident highlights the vigilance of law enforcement in combating domestic terrorism and the critical role of counterintelligence in protecting military installations. Stay tuned for updates as the legal proceedings unfold.
For more details, refer to the official U.S. Department of Justice press release: Melvindale Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Attack a Military Base on Behalf of ISIS
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