THREAT Exposed: Guard’s Radical ISIS Plan

A former Michigan National Guardsman’s ISIS-inspired plot to massacre soldiers at a Detroit-area Army base was thwarted just hours before execution, exposing a chilling betrayal that could have cost dozens of American lives.

Key Takeaways

Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, was arrested May 13, 2025, after planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the TACOM Army facility in Warren, Michigan
The former Michigan Army National Guardsman faces up to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and distributing information about destructive devices
Said planned to use assault-style weapons, armor-piercing ammunition, and Molotov cocktails in the attack, and conducted drone reconnaissance of the military facility
FBI undercover agents infiltrated Said’s plot over several months, recording his attack plans and weapons training sessions
The case highlights the ongoing threat of homegrown terrorism and military insider threats to American security

Military Insider Turned Terrorist

The betrayal cuts deeper when it comes from within our own ranks. Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a 19-year-old former Michigan Army National Guard member, now faces federal terrorism charges after allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility in Warren, Michigan. The Melvindale resident was arrested on May 13, 2025 – the very day he planned to execute his attack – following months of surveillance by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force that began in 2024.

Federal authorities revealed that Said harbored a “longstanding desire to engage in violent jihad” and had been meticulously planning the attack for months. A secret search of his phone in July 2024 uncovered disturbing evidence of his radicalization, including references to jihad and Islamic State flags. The case represents a disturbing example of how military training can be weaponized against the very institutions that provide it when combined with radical ideologies.

Detailed Attack Plan Exposed

Said’s plot was as sophisticated as it was deadly. Court documents reveal he intended to use armor-piercing ammunition and assault-style weapons to conduct a mass shooting at the TACOM facility, which employs thousands of military and civilian personnel. The former guardsman planned to deploy Molotov cocktails during the attack and had created handwritten diagrams detailing entry points and target locations within the military installation.

“Helping ISIS prepare or carry out acts of violence is a threat to our entire nation,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. in a statement following Said’s arrest. “This defendant allegedly sought to provide material support to ISIS by planning a violent attack on a U.S. military facility.”

Perhaps most chilling was Said’s use of drone technology to conduct reconnaissance of the facility. On the day of his arrest, he had launched a drone near the base for final surveillance before the planned attack. This tactical approach demonstrates how terrorist methods continue to evolve, incorporating commercially available technology to enhance attack planning and execution.

FBI Undercover Operation Prevented Tragedy

The plot was ultimately foiled through an extensive undercover operation. Two FBI employees posed as ISIS supporters, gaining Said’s trust over several months. During recorded meetings, Said provided detailed attack plans, weapons training, and instructions on constructing explosive devices. He believed he was preparing fellow ISIS operatives for a coordinated assault on American soil, unaware he was actually documenting his own crimes for federal prosecutors.

Sue J. Bai, head of the DOJ’s National Security Division, emphasized the significance of the operation, stating the arrest prevented “a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS.” The successful infiltration highlights the critical role of proactive counterterrorism operations in preventing domestic attacks before they occur.

Federal prosecutors have requested Said be held without bail, citing both his danger to the community and flight risk. His first court appearance took place on May 14, 2025, where he faced charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to destructive devices – crimes carrying up to 20 years in federal prison.

The Growing Threat of Military Insider Terrorism

Said’s case represents a particularly troubling trend: the radicalization of military personnel and veterans. His National Guard training provided him with tactical knowledge that could have made his attack far more deadly. The military has increasingly faced challenges in screening for extremist beliefs among its ranks, with several high-profile cases in recent years of service members or veterans involved in domestic terrorism plots.

The infiltration of military institutions by those with extremist ideologies poses a unique national security threat. These individuals have access to training, facilities, and potentially sensitive information that could be exploited for terrorist purposes. Said’s plot demonstrates how quickly the skills taught to defend America can be turned against it when combined with radical ideologies.

This case also raises serious questions about the vetting processes for military recruitment and the monitoring of personnel who may become radicalized during their service. While the vast majority of service members serve honorably, the potential damage from even a single radicalized insider cannot be underestimated.