Enrique Marquez Jr. is a homegrown conspirator from California who, in 2011 and 2012, allegedly planned numerous terror attacks alongside San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook. Marquez pled guilty to purchasing and supplying the firearms used by Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, in the December 2, 2015, ISIS-inspired attack that killed 14 people.“United States of America v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” United States District Court for the Central District of California, December 17, 2015, 3-8, https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/world/read-the-criminal-complaint-against-enrique-marquez-the-friend-who-provided-rifles-in-the-san-bernardino-shooting/1917/; Cristina Silva, “Who Is Enrique Marquez? In San Bernardino, Syed Farook Neighbor Faces Criminal Charges For Assault Rifle Purchase,” International Business Times, December 17, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.com/who-enrique-marquez-san-bernardino-syed-farook-neighbor-faces-criminal-charges-2230179; “Enrique Marquez Jr. Agrees to Plead Guilty to Plotting Violent Attacks and Buying Firearms for Shooter in San Bernardino Terrorist Attack,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 14, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/enrique-marquez-jr-agrees-plead-guilty-plotting-violent-attacks-and-buying-firearms. Marquez is in U.S. custody awaiting sentencing.Brian Rokos, “Sentencing for Riverside man who aided San Bernardino shooter is postponed,” Press-Enterprise, November 2, 2017, http://www.pe.com/2017/11/02/sentencing-for-riverside-man-who-aided-san-bernardino-shooter-is-postponed/.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a criminal complaint against Marquez on December 17, 2015, two weeks after the San Bernardino attack. He was charged on three counts: conspiring to provide material support to Farook in 2011 and 2012; making a false statement regarding his purchase of firearms; and immigration fraud.“California Man Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorism and Being ‘Straw Purchaser’ of Assault Rifles Ultimately Used in San Bernardino, California, Attack,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-charged-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism-and-being-straw. The U.S. Department of Justice issued an indictment against Marquez on December 30, 2015. The indictment included two new charges: the use of fire or explosives to maliciously destroy an institution receiving Federal funds, as well as the use of fire or explosives to maliciously destroy property used in interstate or foreign commerce.“United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Enrique Marquez, Jr., Defendant,” United States District Court for the Central District of California, September 30, 2015, http://documents.latimes.com/indictment-against-enrique-marquez-jr/.
As a teenager, Marquez moved to Riverside, California, south of San Bernardino. There he met Farook, his next-door neighbor.“California Man Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorism and Being ‘Straw Purchaser’ of Assault Rifles Ultimately Used in San Bernardino, California, Attack,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-charged-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism-and-being-straw. Farook introduced Marquez to Islam in 2005, and Marquez converted in 2007. Shortly after Marquez’s conversion, Farook began to indoctrinate Marquez to radical Islamic ideology. By 2011, Marquez spent most of his time at Farook’s residence, absorbing radical Islamic content including lectures by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki, and the group’s English-language magazine Inspire.“United States of America v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” United States District Court for the Central District of California, December 17, 2015, 3-8, https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/world/read-the-criminal-complaint-against-enrique-marquez-the-friend-who-provided-rifles-in-the-san-bernardino-shooting/1917/. He also read the Defense of Muslim Lands by Abdullah Azzam and watched videos produced by al-Qaeda’s Somali affiliate al-Shabab.“United States of America v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” United States District Court for the Central District of California, December 17, 2015, 7-8, 19, https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/world/read-the-criminal-complaint-against-enrique-marquez-the-friend-who-provided-rifles-in-the-san-bernardino-shooting/1917/.
In 2011, Marquez and Farook conspired to attack the campus of Riverside City College, where they had both been students. The pair discussed attacking the library and cafeteria on the campus in an attempt to maximize casualties. They also planned to unleash pipe bombs on the State Route 91 Freeway near Los Angeles. According to the criminal complaint, Marquez and Farook planned to bomb an area of the Freeway that lacked exits. Farook would then move among the stalled traffic and shoot people in their cars, and Marquez planned to shoot approaching law enforcement personnel. Marquez purchased firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear, and he and Farook practiced shooting at firing ranges. In 2012, Marquez purchased smokeless powder to be used in an explosive. Marquez later admitted to law enforcement that he and Farook had read the bomb-making instructions in AQAP’s Inspire.“United States of America v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” United States District Court for the Central District of California, December 17, 2015, 3, 25, https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/world/read-the-criminal-complaint-against-enrique-marquez-the-friend-who-provided-rifles-in-the-san-bernardino-shooting/1917/.
In November 2014, Marquez entered into a sham marriage with Russian national Mariya Chernykh, whose sister was married to Farook’s older brother, Syed Raheel Farook. Marquez was reportedly paid $200 per month for the marriage.“United States of America v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” United States District Court for the Central District of California, December 17, 2015, 4, https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/world/read-the-criminal-complaint-against-enrique-marquez-the-friend-who-provided-rifles-in-the-san-bernardino-shooting/1917/; Richard Winton and James Queally, “Enrique Marquez Jr. faces more charges in San Bernardino terrorist attack,” Los Angeles Times, December 20, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-marquez-faces-more-charges-in-san-bernardino-terrorist-attack-20151230-story.html. Chernykh was arrested in late April 2016 on charges of marriage fraud.“Three relatives of San Bernardino shooter arrested,” Fox News, April 28, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/04/28/3-arrested-in-relation-to-san-bernardino-probe.html. On January 26, 2017, Chernykh pled guilty to federal immigration fraud charges and admitted entering into a sham marriage with Marquez.“‘Wife’ of Man Facing Charges of Conspiring with Shooter in San Bernardino Attack Pleads Guilty to Entering into Sham Marriage,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 26, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/wife-man-facing-charges-conspiring-shooter-san-bernardino-attack-pleads-guilty-entering. On January 10, 2017, Syed Raheel Farook pled guilty to one count of conspiracy. His wife, Tatiana, pled guilty on February 9, 2017, to conspiracy to commit immigration fraud.Brian Rokos, “Sentencings for couple related to Dec. 2, 2015, San Bernardino shooter are postponed,” Press-Enterprise, November 10, 2017, http://www.pe.com/2017/11/10/sentencings-for-couple-related-to-dec-2-2015-san-bernardino-shooter-are-postponed/; “Sister-in-Law of Shooter in San Bernardino Attack Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge in Immigration Fraud Case,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 9, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/sister-law-shooter-san-bernardino-attack-pleads-guilty-federal-conspiracy-charge.
On the day of the San Bernardino attack, Marquez posted a garbled apology on his Facebook page. He admitted himself to a nearby hospital and was referred to a psychiatric ward.Richard A. Serrano, Paloma Esquival, and Corina Knoll, “Marquez and Farook plotted campus and freeway attacks, prosecutors allege,” Los Angeles Times, December 17, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-bernardino-marquez-20151217-story.html. The day after the attack, Marquez called 911 and told the operator that the attackers had used guns he had purchased. Marquez told the operator that he had given the guns to Farook for “safe storage” because he couldn’t keep them at home because of his brothers.Richard Winton, Richard A. Serrano, Joseph Serna, and Marisa Gerber, “After San Bernardino massacre, suspect Enrique Marquez Jr. made dramatic 911 call,” Los Angeles Times, December 18, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-911-san-bernardino-massacre-20151218-story.html.
On February 14, 2017, Marquez agreed to plead guilty to providing material support and resources to terrorists, including weapons, explosives, and personnel. Marquez admitted to conspiring with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to attack Riverside City College and commuter traffic on the 91 Freeway. Further, Marquez admitted to being the “straw buyer” of the two firearms used in the San Bernardino attack and making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. The plea was officially entered two days later.“Enrique Marquez Jr. Agrees to Plead Guilty to Plotting Violent Attacks and Buying Firearms for Shooter in San Bernardino Terrorist Attack,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 14, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/enrique-marquez-jr-agrees-plead-guilty-plotting-violent-attacks-and-buying-firearms; Steve Gorman, “Friend of San Bernardino gunman pleads guilty to conspiracy charges,” Reuters, February 16, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-plea/friend-of-san-bernardino-gunman-pleads-guilty-to-conspiracy-charges-idUSKBN15W013.
After repeated delays, Marquez is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2018. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.Brian Rokos, “Sentencing for Riverside man who aided San Bernardino shooter is postponed,” Press-Enterprise, November 2, 2017, http://www.pe.com/2017/11/02/sentencing-for-riverside-man-who-aided-san-bernardino-shooter-is-postponed/.
Domestic terrorist: Accused of supplying two guns in the December 2015 San Bernardino attack in which gunmen Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik targeted Farook’s colleagues at a holiday party, killing 14 people and wounding 20 more. Also accused by the FBI of connection to a group of jihadists arrested in 2012 when they attempted to travel to Afghanistan to join al Qaeda.
Listened to al-Awlaki’s lectures in 2010-2011 and discussed al-Awlaki’s ideology with his co-conspirator, San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook.
Domestic terrorist, California: Allegedly supplied two military-style rifles that Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik used in their December 2015 attack in San Bernardino. On February 14, 2016, Marquez pled guilty to conspiring with Farook and providing material support to terrorists.
Converted to Islam “around the time” that Farook began to consider an attack, according to an unidentified law enforcement source. Marquez listened to lectures by AQAP propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki from 2010 to 2011, and reportedly discussed Awlaki’s ideology with his co-conspirator, San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook.
(Estimated age at conversion: 23-24)
Pled guilty in February 2017 to purchasing and supplying firearms used by Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik in the December 2, 2015 San Bernardino shooting, and to planning numerous terror attacks with Farook in 2011 and 2012.
Watched al-Shabab videos, reviewed “The Defense of Muslim Lands”––a publication that calls for jihad––by al-Qaeda founder Abdullah Azzam, and reported that he reviewed the bomb-making instructions in AQAP’s Inspire magazine along with Syed Farook. Farook also introduced him to sermons by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki, which he listened to Awlaki’s in 2010-2011.
Minneapolis man Khaalid Adam Abdulkadir was arrested by U.S. authorities on December 11, 2015, for threatening FBI officers over Twitter. Abdulkadir posted multiple tweets threatening FBI agents in reaction to the December 9, 2015, arrest of his friend, Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame, who was charged with conspiring to help ISIS.“United States of America v. Khaalid Adam Abdulkadir,” United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 11, 2015, 4, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/Abdulkadir%20Criminal%20Complaint.pdf; “Minnesota man, 20, accused of conspiring to help Islamic State,” New York Daily News, December 10, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/minnesota-man-accused-conspiring-islamic-state-article-1.2460965.
Abdulkadir tweets in support of Warsame
According to FBI agents, Abdulkadir also tweeted, “More brother get locked up the cops body they will find on the floor body’s dropping fast #kill them FBI and fuck as judge [sic],” though that tweet has since been removed.“United States of America v. Khaalid Adam Abdulkadir,” United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 11, 2015, 4, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/Abdulkadir%20Criminal%20Complaint.pdf.
Abdulkadir had previously used Twitter and Facebook to communicate with two Minnesotans fighting with ISIS, Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan a.k.a. Mujahid Miski, and Adbiwali Nur.Liz Collin, “Minneapolis Man Charged With Threatening Agents On Twitter; In Custody,” CBS Minnesota, December 11, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/12/11/minneapolis-man-charged-with-threatening-agents-on-twitter-in-custody/. In January 2015, Abdulkadir wrote to Miski: “Brother I’m trying to make moves and I have no connection so what’s the deal brother? I’m trying to bounce for untied state Mpls mn [sic] to [ISIS-controlled territory].” Miski told Abdulkadir to travel to Turkey, where he would receive help crossing into Syria.“United States of America v. Khaalid Adam Abdulkadir,” United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 11, 2015, 5, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/Abdulkadir%20Criminal%20Complaint.pdf.
In January 2016, Abdulkadir pleaded not guilty, but faced up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Three months later, he made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. The plea agreement stipulated that Abdulkadir will be regularly drug tested, have his Internet use monitored, and be forbidden from visiting extremist online content.Muktar M. Ibrahim, “Mpls. Man Who Pleaded Guilty to Threatening Agents is Released from Jail,” MPR News, March 8, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/03/08/khaalid-abdulkadir-mpls-man-pleads-guilty-to-threatening-agents-isis. According to Abdulkadir’s attorney, FBI agents did not believe that his Twitter threats would materialize. Abdulkadir was sentenced to three years of probation.Esme Murphy, “Minn. Man Pleads Guilty To Misdemeanor In Twitter Threats Case,” CBS Minnesota, March 8, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/03/08/man-pleads-guilty-terror-case/; “Mpls. Man Pleads Not Guilty to Threatening FBI, Judge in Terror Case,” ABC5, January 7, 2016, http://kstp.com/news/stories/s4010497.shtml.
Larossi Abballa was a 25-year-old French ex-convict, who murdered two married French police officers on June 13, 2016.Nancy Ing and Cassandra Vinograd, “Magnanville Attacker Was Convicted Jihadi Larossi Abballa: Source,” NBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/magnanville-attacker-was-convicted-jihadi-larossi-abballa-source-n591756. In an attack claimed by ISIS, Abballa entered the home of the two police officers in the Paris suburb of Magnanville, stabbed the two officers to death, and took their three-year-old son hostage.Chine Labbé and Simon Carraud, “Two French police killed in attack claimed by Islamic State,” Reuters, June 14, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-crime-idUSKCN0YZ2KA;
Peter Allen, Chris Summers, and Julian Robinson, “ISIS Terrorist Live-Streamed Killing French Police Husband and Wife Officers in Front of Their Three-Year-Old Son on Facebook Then Posted: ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Going to Do with the Boy,’” Daily Mail (London) June 14, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639878/Policeman-stabbed-death-outside-Paris-home-attacker-holding-officer-s-wife-son-hostage.html. French President Francois Hollande has labeled Abballa’s attack “a terrorist act” and convened a high-level meeting over the incident.Chine Labbé and Simon Carraud, “Two French police killed in attack claimed by Islamic State,” Reuters, June 14, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-crime-idUSKCN0YZ2KA;
Nancy Ing and Cassandra Vinograd, “Magnanville Attacker Was Convicted Jihadi Larossi Abballa: Source,” NBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/magnanville-attacker-was-convicted-jihadi-larossi-abballa-source-n591756.
According to witnesses, Abballa shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he launched the attacks in Magnanville.“Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067. Reports also indicate that Abballa livestreamed parts of the attack on Facebook,Chine Labbé and Simon Carraud, “Two French police killed in attack claimed by Islamic State,” Reuters, June 14, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-crime-idUSKCN0YZ2KA. storming the home of the police officers and killing both of the parents in plain view of their child, saying, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with the boy.”Peter Allen, Chris Summers, and Julian Robinson, “ISIS Terrorist Live-Streamed Killing French Police Husband and Wife Officers in Front of Their Three-Year-Old Son on Facebook Then Posted: ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Going to Do with the Boy,’” Daily Mail (London) June 14, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639878/Policeman-stabbed-death-outside-Paris-home-attacker-holding-officer-s-wife-son-hostage.html. Abballa reportedly also used Facebook to pledge allegiance to ISIS, and reiterate a pledge of allegiance he claimed to have made three weeks prior.“Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067;
Nancy Ing and Cassandra Vinograd, “Magnanville Attacker Was Convicted Jihadi Larossi Abballa: Source,” NBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/magnanville-attacker-was-convicted-jihadi-larossi-abballa-source-n591756. After a failed hostage negotiation and the murder of the two police officers, an elite police unit stormed the residence hours, killing Abballa in a shootout and rescuing the child. According to French officials, the child appeared to have been “in shock but unharmed.”Peter Allen, Chris Summers, and Julian Robinson, “ISIS Terrorist Live-Streamed Killing French Police Husband and Wife Officers in Front of Their Three-Year-Old Son on Facebook Then Posted: ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Going to Do with the Boy,’” Daily Mail (London) June 14, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639878/Policeman-stabbed-death-outside-Paris-home-attacker-holding-officer-s-wife-son-hostage.html;
Angelique Chrisafis, “French police chief and partner killed in stabbing claimed by Isis,” Guardian (London), June 14, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/13/french-policeman-stabbed-death-paris.
Police stormed the residence hours later, killing Abballa in a shootout and rescuing the child. According to French officials, the child appeared to have been “in shock but unharmed.Peter Allen, Chris Summers, and Julian Robinson, “ISIS Terrorist Live-Streamed Killing French Police Husband and Wife Officers in Front of Their Three-Year-Old Son on Facebook Then Posted: ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Going to Do with the Boy,’” Daily Mail (London) June 14, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639878/Policeman-stabbed-death-outside-Paris-home-attacker-holding-officer-s-wife-son-hostage.html; Angelique Chrisafis, “French police chief and partner killed in stabbing claimed by Isis,” Guardian (London), June 14, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/13/french-policeman-stabbed-death-paris.
Upon searching Abballa’s home after the attack, police discovered a computer with a list of other potential targets, including rappers, journalists, and other police officers and high-profile individuals.“Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067;
Nancy Ing and Cassandra Vinograd, “Magnanville Attacker Was Convicted Jihadi Larossi Abballa: Source,” NBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/magnanville-attacker-was-convicted-jihadi-larossi-abballa-source-n591756.
Before the attack, Abballa had been imprisoned on both criminal and terrorism-related charges, dating back to 2011.“Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067. According to reports, Abballa served time in prison from 2011 until 2013 for his involvement in a jihadist cell, working to facilitate the travel of Islamists to Pakistan.Chine Labbé and Simon Carraud, “Two French police killed in attack claimed by Islamic State,” Reuters, June 14, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-crime-idUSKCN0YZ2KA. During his stint in prison, Abballa reportedly became known for his extremist proselytizing, which led to his being transferred to a different prison on three occasions.Tim Lister, “Arguments grow in France over ‘missed signals’ with police killer Larossi Abballa,” CNN, June 16, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/europe/france-magnanville-terror-missed-signals-lister/. However, since he had already spent two years and two months in prison after his 2011 arrest waiting for his 2013 trial, Abballa was released shortly after his conviction.Alissa J. Rubin and Lilia Blaise, “Killing Twice for ISIS and Saying So Live on Facebook,” New York Times, June 14, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/15/world/europe/france-stabbing-police-magnanville-isis.html. Abballa has also reportedly been arrested on charges related to theft and violence.Peter Allen, Chris Summers, and Julian Robinson, “ISIS Terrorist Live-Streamed Killing French Police Husband and Wife Officers in Front of Their Three-Year-Old Son on Facebook Then Posted: ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Going to Do with the Boy,’” Daily Mail (London) June 14, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639878/Policeman-stabbed-death-outside-Paris-home-attacker-holding-officer-s-wife-son-hostage.html.
Prior to his 2011 arrest, Abballa was reportedly involved with a group of terrorist sympathizers who reportedly downloaded bomb-making manuals off of the Internet.Tim Lister, “Arguments grow in France over ‘missed signals’ with police killer Larossi Abballa,” CNN, June 16, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/europe/france-magnanville-terror-missed-signals-lister/. According to court documents, the men practiced beheading techniques on rabbits in the forests outside of Paris.Tim Lister, “Arguments grow in France over ‘missed signals’ with police killer Larossi Abballa,” CNN, June 16, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/europe/france-magnanville-terror-missed-signals-lister/. Members of the cell—including Aballa—were arrested in 2011 following the arrest of two members in Lahore, Pakistan.Tim Lister, “Arguments grow in France over ‘missed signals’ with police killer Larossi Abballa,” CNN, June 16, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/europe/france-magnanville-terror-missed-signals-lister/.
After his release in 2013, Abballa was placed on France’s “S-List,” a list of individuals considered by the French government to pose a national security threat.“Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067. Abballa later became the subject of another terrorism investigation, this time related to a jihadist cell in Syria.“Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067. Beginning in February 2016, Abballa was the subject of an investigation into a Syrian-based jihadist group. As part of the investigation, French police tapped Aballa’s phone but did not secure enough evidence for an arrest.Alissa J. Rubin and Lilia Blaise, “Killing Twice for ISIS and Saying So Live on Facebook,” New York Times, June 14, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/15/world/europe/france-stabbing-police-magnanville-isis.html. “Who was French Police Murder Suspect Abballa?” BBC News, June 14, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36526067. According to French Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas, “This man, who became a monster the moment he killed, had shown no signs of preparation.”Tim Lister, “Arguments grow in France over ‘missed signals’ with police killer Larossi Abballa,” CNN, June 16, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/europe/france-magnanville-terror-missed-signals-lister/.
Omar Mateen was an American citizen and ISIS follower who perpetrated the deadliest terror attack on American soil since 9/11. In the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, Mateen gunned down 49 people and injured 53 more at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. He reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on Facebook—as well as in a call to 911—during the attack. He is believed to have spoken to a 911 operator at least three more times during the shooting.Hayley Tsukayama, Adam Goldman, Peter Holley and Mark Berman, “Terror in Orlando: 50 killed in shooting rampage at gay club; gunman pledged allegiance to ISIS,” Washington Post, June 12, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/06/12/orlando-nightclub-shooting-about-20-dead-in-domestic-terror-incident-at-gay-club/?utm_term=.bf262f6ae243; “Orlando gay nightclub shooting: 50 killed, suspect is Omar Mateen,” BBC News, June 12, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36512308; Ralph Ellis, Ashley Fantz, Faith Karimi and Eliott C. McLaughlin, "Orlando shooting: 49 killed, shooter pledged ISIS allegiance," CNN, June 13, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/;
Kevin Sullivan, Ellen Nakashima, Matt Zapotosky and Mark Berman, “Orlando shooter posted messages on Facebook pledging allegiance to the leader of ISIS and vowing more attacks,” Washington Post, June 15, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/investigation-into-orlando-shooting-continues-no-impending-charges-expected/2016/06/15/c3eccf5e-3333-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html;
Julie Vitkovskaya, “‘You already know what I did': Read excerpts of Omar Mateen’s 911 calls to Orlando police,” Washington Post, June 20, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/06/20/here-is-the-excerpt-of-omar-mateens-911-call-to-orlando-police/.
Later on June 12, ISIS took responsibility for the mass shooting, writing on its Amaq news agency Telegram channel that “an Islamic State fighter” had “targeted a nightclub for homosexuals….” On June 13, the terror group released another claim of responsibility on its official Al Bayan radio station, referring to Mateen as “one of the soldiers of the caliphate in America.” However, there is little evidence suggesting ISIS lent direct operational support to Mateen, according to authorities. Jared Malsin, “What We Know About ISIS’s Role in the Orlando Shooting,” TIME, June 12, 2016, http://time.com/4365507/orlando-shooting-isis-claims-responsibility-terror/; “IS Calls Orlando Nightclub Shooter "One of the Soldiers of the Caliphate in America,” SITE Intelligence, June 13, 2016, https://news.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-News/is-calls-orlando-nightclub-shooter-one-of-the-soldiers-of-the-caliphate-in-america.html; Rukmini Callimachi, “ISIS Claims Responsibility for Orlando Attack in Radio Statement,” New York Times, June 13, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/live/orlando-nightclub-shooting-live-updates/isis-radio-station/; Pete Williams, Tracy Connor, Erik Ortiz and Stephanie Gosk, “Gunman Omar Mateen Described as Belligerent, Racist and 'Toxic',” NBC News, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496.
At 2 a.m. on June 12, Mateen entered Pulse and shot approximately one third of the clubbers. While firing his weapons, Mateen reportedly yelled “Allahu Akhbar,” and said that “America needs to stop bombing ISIS in Syria.” Witnesses also heard him say “stop bombing my country,” presumably in reference to his parents’ native Afghanistan. He engaged in a brief firefight with an off-duty officer, but survived the shootout and took approximately 30 people hostage in the bathroom of the club. During calls with the police, Mateen reportedly threatened to strap explosives to four of the hostages and place them throughout the club. He also reportedly said he would spare African American hostages, announcing, “I don’t have a problem with black people…This is about my country. You guys suffered enough.” At 5 a.m., a SWAT team stormed the premises and, according to authorities, detonated a “distractionary device” in order to confuse Mateen. The officers reportedly broke through a wall of the nightclub in order to free hostages, after which they shot and killed Mateen. “Orlando Shooting: What We Know and Don’t Know,” New York Times, June 12, 2016, http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/06/13/us/orlando-shooting-what-we-know-and-dont-know.html?referer=; Kate Lions, “Orlando Pulse club attack: gunman identified as police investigate motive,” Guardian (London), June 12, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/12/orlando-shooting-nightclub-pulse-gunman.
Mateen worked as a security guard and lived in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He had legally purchased firearms within a week of the attack, and used both a handgun and an AR-15-type assault rifle—as well as many rounds of ammunition—during the shooting. According to police, “suspicious devices” were found on Mateen as well as in his car.
“Orlando Shooting: What We Know and Don’t Know,” New York Times, June 12, 2016, http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/06/13/us/orlando-shooting-what-we-know-and-dont-know.html?referer=; Colin Wolf, “Pulse shooter identified as Omar S. Mateen of Fort Pierce, Florida,” Orlando Weekly, June 12, 2016, http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/06/12/pulse-shooter-identified-as-omar-s-mateen-of-fort-pierce-florida; Kate Lions, “Orlando Pulse club attack: gunman identified as police investigate motive,” Guardian (London), June 12, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/12/orlando-shooting-nightclub-pulse-gunman; Jay Reeves and Eric Tucker, “Correction: Nightclub Shooting-Florida story,” Associated Press, June 15, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/761507bed75f461e9fd95a1422e63ef7/orlando-mourns-possible-motives-emerge-club-gunman; David Shariatmadari, “Omar Mateen's interest in gay men makes this no ordinary act of terrorism,” Guardian (London), June 14, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/14/omar-mateen-gay-men-terrorism-pulse-jackd-sexuality;
Kevin Sullivan, Ellen Nakashima, Matt Zapotosky and Mark Berman, “Orlando shooter posted messages on Facebook pledging allegiance to the leader of ISIS and vowing more attacks,” Washington Post, June 15, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/investigation-into-orlando-shooting-continues-no-impending-charges-expected/2016/06/15/c3eccf5e-3333-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html;
Frances Robles and Richard Perez-Pena, “Omar Mateen Told Police He’d Strap Bombs to Hostages, Orlando Mayor Says,” New York Times, June 15, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/16/us/orlando-shooting.html;
Danika Fears, “Club killer wanted to spare black people,” New York Post, June 14, 2016, http://nypost.com/2016/06/14/club-killer-wanted-to-spare-black-people/;
Lizette Alvarez, Richard Perez-Pena, Christine Hauser, “Orlando Gunman Was ‘Cool and Calm’ After Massacre, Police Say,” New York Times, June 13, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/14/us/orlando-shooting.html.
The FBI interviewed Mateen in both 2013 and 2014, though both cases were closed after it was determined he did not pose a threat. In 2013, Mateen reportedly claimed he had family connections to al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, and told coworkers “he hoped that law enforcement would raid his apartment and assault his wife and child so that he could martyr himself,” according to FBI director James Comey.“Orlando gay nightclub shooting: Who was gunman Omar Mateen?,” BBC News, June 12, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36513468;
Pete Williams, Tracy Connor, Erik Ortiz and Stephanie Gosk, “Gunman Omar Mateen Described as Belligerent, Racist and 'Toxic',” NBC News, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496;
Associated Press, “Obama says it appears Orlando shooter was inspired by extremist information disseminated over the internet,” Washington Post, June 13, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-says-it-appears-orlando-shooter-was-inspired-by-extremist-information-disseminated-over-the-internet/2016/06/13/e0d59f84-317a-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html;
Adam Goldman, Joby Warrick and Max Bearak, “‘He was not a stable person’: Orlando shooter showed signs of emotional trouble,” Washington Post, June 12, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ex-wife-of-suspected-orlando-shooter-he-beat-me/2016/06/12/8a1963b4-30b8-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html;
Associated Press, “FBI: Orlando Gunman Had Strong Indications of Radicalization,” ABC, June 13, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/fbi-orlando-gunman-strong-indications-radicalization-39820558.
In 2014, Mateen was questioned about his alleged connection to Moner Mohammad Abusalha, the first American to carry out a suicide bombing in Syria, on behalf of the Nusra Front. The two men were believed to attend the same mosque in Fort Pierce, Florida. According to FBI Director James Comey, “the investigation turned up no ties of any consequence between the two of them.” But on one of his calls with 911 during the shooting, Mateen reportedly noted his support for Abusalha, as well as the Tsarnaev brothers, responsible for the Boston marathon bombings in April 2013. In an around 2013, Mateen is also believed to have watched videos of the deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, whose radical propaganda has been implicated in multiple domestic terror attacks including the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, the 2013 Boston bombing, and the 2015 San Bernardino shooting.“Orlando gay nightclub shooting: Who was gunman Omar Mateen?,” BBC News, June 12, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36513468; Pete Williams, Tracy Connor, Erik Ortiz and Stephanie Gosk, “Gunman Omar Mateen Described as Belligerent, Racist and 'Toxic',” NBC News, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496; Associated Press, “Obama says it appears Orlando shooter was inspired by extremist information disseminated over the internet,” Washington Post, June 13, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-says-it-appears-orlando-shooter-was-inspired-by-extremist-information-disseminated-over-the-internet/2016/06/13/e0d59f84-317a-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html; Adam Goldman, Joby Warrick and Max Bearak, “‘He was not a stable person’: Orlando shooter showed signs of emotional trouble,” Washington Post, June 12, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ex-wife-of-suspected-orlando-shooter-he-beat-me/2016/06/12/8a1963b4-30b8-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html; Associated Press, “FBI: Orlando Gunman Had Strong Indications of Radicalization,” ABC, June 13, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/fbi-orlando-gunman-strong-indications-radicalization-39820558; “Orlando killer expressed support for multiple Islamist groups,” Reuters Canada, June 14, 2016, http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0YY08B?sp=true; Cassandra Vinograd, “Omar Mateen, U.S. Suicide Bomber Tied to Fort Pierce, Florida,” NBC, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/omar-mateen-u-s-suicide-bomber-tied-fort-pierce-florida-n590846.
On June 13, President Obama said that it appeared Mateen had been radicalized by extremist content online, and referred to the attack as a case of “homegrown extremism.” Mateen operated a Facebook account, and pledged allegiance to ISIS, writing “may Allah accept me,” on the account before the attack. He also reportedly operated an account on the social media site MySpace, although it is unclear if he utilized the platform to disseminate extremist messaging. Mateen reportedly searched for news of the attack as he was carrying it out.“Orlando gay nightclub shooting: Who was gunman Omar Mateen?,” BBC News, June 12, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36513468; Pete Williams, Tracy Connor, Erik Ortiz and Stephanie Gosk, “Gunman Omar Mateen Described as Belligerent, Racist and 'Toxic',” NBC News, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496; Associated Press, “Obama says it appears Orlando shooter was inspired by extremist information disseminated over the internet,” Washington Post, June 13, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-says-it-appears-orlando-shooter-was-inspired-by-extremist-information-disseminated-over-the-internet/2016/06/13/e0d59f84-317a-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html; Adam Goldman, Joby Warrick and Max Bearak, “‘He was not a stable person’: Orlando shooter showed signs of emotional trouble,” Washington Post, June 12, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ex-wife-of-suspected-orlando-shooter-he-beat-me/2016/06/12/8a1963b4-30b8-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html; Associated Press, “FBI: Orlando Gunman Had Strong Indications of Radicalization,” ABC, June 13, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/fbi-orlando-gunman-strong-indications-radicalization-39820558; Rachel Bishop, “Orlando clubbers filmed dancing just two hours before ISIS fanatic shot 49 partygoers dead,” Mirror (London), June 13, 2016, http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/orlando-clubbers-filmed-dancing-just-8183772; Kevin Sullivan, Ellen Nakashima, Matt Zapotosky and Mark Berman, “Orlando shooter posted messages on Facebook pledging allegiance to the leader of ISIS and vowing more attacks,” Washington Post, June 15, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/investigation-into-orlando-shooting-continues-no-impending-charges-expected/2016/06/15/c3eccf5e-3333-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html; Richard Perez-Pena, “Omar Mateen Posted to Facebook Amid Orlando Attack, Lawmaker Says,” New York Times, June 16, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/us/orlando-shooting.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news.
According to numerous witnesses, Mateen had frequently visited Pulse. One of the club’s customers reported that Mateen had attempted to pick up men, and that the customer’s friends thought Mateen was a “strange person.” Another witness reported that Mateen had messaged him over an online dating app for gay men called Jack’d. Others claimed he interacted with them on gay dating apps including Grindr and Adam 4 Adam. In late June, the FBI reported it had found no evidence suggesting Mateen communicated on gay dating apps or had homosexual relationships.“Orlando attacker Omar Mateen 'frequented gay nightclub',” Al Jazeera, June 14, 2016, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/orlando-attacker-omar-mateen-visited-pulse-gay-club-160614112632336.html;
Matt Zapotosky, Adam Goldman and Brian Murphy, “FBI director: Orlando shooting probe also looks ‘backward’ into agency files on shooter,” Washington Post, June 14, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/06/14/fbi-director-orlando-shooting-probe-also-looks-backward-into-agency-files-on-shooter/?utm_term=.06bccfa2ea41;
“If you were gay you would definitely be my type’: Orlando shooter came onto former classmate and shared penis pictures on gay app - but gunman's father insists he isn't homosexual,” Daily Mail (London), last modified June 16, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3642784/If-gay-definitely-type-Former-classmate-reveals-Orlando-shooter-came-drag-queen-says-club-regular-shooter-s-father-insists-isn-t-homosexual.html;
“FBI investigators say they have found no evidence that Orlando shooter had gay lovers,” Los Angeles Times, June 23, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-orlando-gay-fbi-20160623-snap-story.html.
Mateen’s autopsy showed that he had been a habitual user of steroids for muscle growth at the time of his death. These steroids are reportedly known to cause severe emotional swings in some users, although it is unknown whether this played any role in Mateen’s decision to perpetrate the shooting.Ginger Adams Otis,” Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen was HIV-negative and user of steroids, autopsy shows,” New York Daily News, July 15, 2016, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/omar-mateen-hiv-negative-habitual-steroid-user-autopsy-article-1.2713155.
After the attack, Mateen’s father, Seddique Mateen, immediately denied a connection between his son’s crime and radical Islam, stating that the shooting “had nothing to do with religion.” According to his father, Omar had previously been angered after witnessing a same-sex couple kissing in Miami. The day after the shooting, Mateen’s father posted a video on Facebook in which he claimed that “God himself will punish those involved in homosexuality…this is not for the servants [of God].” Pete Williams, Tracy Connor and Erik Ortiz, “Nightclub Shooter Omar Mateen Pledged Allegiance to ISIS, Was Once Probed by FBI,” NBC News, June 12, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496; Tim Craig, Max Bearak and Lee Powell, “Shooter Omar Mateen’s father says he’s saddened by massacre, calls gunman ‘a good son’,” Washington Post, June 13, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the-orlando-shooters-afghan-roots/2016/06/13/d89a8cd0-30e4-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html.
Mateen was born in New York to Afghan immigrant parents, and moved to Florida more than a decade prior to the shooting. At age 14, Mateen reportedly imitated an airplane flying into the twin towers, and claimed he could shoot an AK-47. He reportedly applauded the 9/11 attacks when they occurred, and told classmates that Osama bin Laden was his uncle. In high school, Mateen reportedly smoked marijuana and used steroids, and was expelled in the ninth grade for fighting. He attended Indian River State College, receiving an associate of science degree in criminal justice technology in 2006.Kevin Sullivan, Ellen Nakashima, Matt Zapotosky and Mark Berman, “Orlando shooter posted messages on Facebook pledging allegiance to the leader of ISIS and vowing more attacks,” Washington Post, June 15, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/investigation-into-orlando-shooting-continues-no-impending-charges-expected/2016/06/15/c3eccf5e-3333-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html; Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, Catherine E. Shoichet and Amy La Porte, “Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS, official says,” CNN, June 13, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooter-omar-mateen/; Damian Paletta, Alexandra Berzon, and John R. Emshwiller, “A Life of Violent Threats Paved Way for Orlando Attack,” Washington Post, June 17, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-life-of-violent-threats-paved-way-for-orlando-attack-1466127324.
Mateen’s ex-wife, Sitora Yusufiy, claimed that Mateen was bipolar, and told reporters that he had physically abused her. Yusufiy’s parents were reportedly forced to rescue her from the marriage. According to Yusufiy, “He started abusing me physically, very often, and not allowing me to speak to my family, keeping me hostage from them.” Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, Catherine E. Shoichet and Amy La Porte, “Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS, official says,” CNN, June 13, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooter-omar-mateen/.
Mateen worked as a security guard for a company called G4S Secure Solutions, and reportedly aspired to become a law-enforcement officer. A former colleague of Mateen’s reportedly described him as “toxic,” belligerent, and racist, adding that he “referred to every other race, religion, gender in a derogatory way.” Another former co-worker, Daniel Gilroy, told reporters that Mateen had “talked about killing people all the time.” Mateen’s peer in high school, Robert Zirkle, said, “We joked that he’d become a terrorist. And then he did.”Pete Williams, Tracy Connor, Erik Ortiz and Stephanie Gosk, “Gunman Omar Mateen Described as Belligerent, Racist and 'Toxic',” NBC News, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/terror-hate-what-motivated-orlando-nightclub-shooter-n590496; Alan Blinder, Jack Healy and Richard A. Oppel Jr., “Omar Mateen: From Early Promise to F.B.I. Surveillance,” New York Times, June 12, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/13/us/omar-mateen-early-signs-of-promise-then-abuse-and-suspected-terrorist-ties.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news; Damian Paletta, Alexandra Berzon, and John R. Emshwiller, “A Life of Violent Threats Paved Way for Orlando Attack,” Washington Post, June 17, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-life-of-violent-threats-paved-way-for-orlando-attack-1466127324.
Mateen’s second wife, Noor Salman, faces charges for failing to alert authorities about the attack. According to U.S. officials speaking to NBC News, Salman once drove with Mateen to the Pulse nightclub, and had accompanied him to purchase ammunition. Salman also reportedly claimed that she had attempted to talk Mateen out of carrying out the attack.Jason Silverstein, “Omar Mateen's wife Noor Salman went with him to Pulse nightclub and to buy ammo, might face criminal charges,” New York Daily News, June 14, 2016, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/omar-mateen-wife-spotted-time-massacre-article-1.2672956. According to Salman’s attorney, she suffered abuse for years at the hand of Mateen.“Some neighbors ‘not surprised’ after wife of Pulse nightclub shooter arrested,” WHIOTV7, January 17, 2017, http://www.whio.com/news/national/some-neighbors-not-surprised-after-wife-pulse-nightclub-shooter-arrested/kGTxMlxbUhBvmB8a0anlBM/.
On January 16, 2017, Salman was arrested outside of San Francisco on charges of obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting Mateen’s “material support” to ISIS.Pamela Brown, Evan Perez and Adam Levine, “Widow of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateern arrested,” CNN, January 17, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/16/us/omar-mateen-wife-arrested/. According to Orlando Chief of Police John Mina, Salman had enough information in advance of the shooting to prevent the attack.Pamela Brown, Evan Perez and Adam Levine, “Widow of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateern arrested,” CNN, January 17, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/16/us/omar-mateen-wife-arrested/. Salman pled not guilty to the charges, and on March 1, 2017, she was released on a bail of $500,000 on the grounds that there was no evidence that she held connections to the Islamic State or any other extremist groups.Liz Kreutz, Emily Shapiro and Duan Perrin, “Wife of Pulse Nightclub Gunman Omar Mateen Pleads Not Guilty,” ABC News, January 18, 2017, http://abcnews.go.com/US/wife-pulse-nightclub-gunman-omar-mateen-pleads-guilty/story?id=4485158;
Christal Hayes and Gal Tziperman Lotan, “Pulse shooter’s widow, Noor Salman, to be released on bail,” Orlando Sentinel, March 1, 2017, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-noor-salman-released-bail-pulse-20170301-story.html. This ruling was reversed by an Orlando federal judge a week later, who ruled that she should remain in prison on grounds of her awareness of her husband’s plans.Gal Tziperman Lotan, “Judge: Pulse shooter Omar Mateen’s widow, Noor Salman, will stay in Jail,” Orlando Sentinel, March 10, 2017, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-noor-salman-pulse-details-20170310-story.html. Salman began trial hearings in April 2017.Rene Stutzman, “Noor Salman trial starts in March; summonses to be sent in September, judge says,” Orlando Sentinel, April 20, 2017, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-pulse-noor-salman-trial-date-hearing-20170420-story.html. On March 30, 2018, Salman was found not guilty and was released.Eric Levenson, “Pulse gunman’s widow found not guily,” CNN, March 31, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/30/us/noor-salman-pulse-trial-verdict/index.html.
Domestic terrorist: Murdered 49 people and wounded 53 more at Pulse nightclub in Orlando
Had previously mentioned al-Awlaki’s “recruitment videos,” according to one witness in a July 2014 FBI investigation.
Carried out shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016, that killed 49 people.
Electronic devices showed that he watched videos of ISIS beheadings. Additionally, his wife, Noor Salman, stated that she saw him watching ISIS recruitment videos with their son. Also told someone at his mosque that he listened to lectures by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.
Kyrgyzstan-born Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is a naturalized U.S. citizen and an Islamic extremist. On April 15, 2013, then-19-year-old Tsarnaev carried out the Boston Marathon bombings alongside his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, then age 26. The bombs killed three people and injured more than 250, 17 of whom became amputees. Three days later, the brothers shot and killed 27-year-old police officer Sean Collier while attempting to ambush him and steal his pistol.Steve Annear, “MIT dedicates monument to Sean Collier,” Boston Globe, April 29, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/29/mit-dedicate-monument-sean-collier-wednesday/E8aVcQXkrht6KO8D85VPFL/story.html;
Katharine Q. Seelye and Jess Bidgood, “Breaking Silence, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Apologizes for Boston Marathon Bombing,” New York Times, June 24, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/25/us/boston-marathon-bombing-dzhokhar-tsarnaev.html?_r=0. In May 2015, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced to death by a unanimous jury vote in Boston, after he was found guilty the previous month on 30 charges relating to the bombing attack.Milton J. Valencia and Patricia Wen, “Tsarnaev guilty on all counts in Marathon bombings,” Boston Globe, April 8, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/08/tsarnaev-jury-begins-second-day-deliberations/t7KplwR18hH1RSuX1BQohM/story.html. A federal appeals court overturned Tsarnaev’s death sentence in July 2020,Alanna Durkin Richer, “Court overturns Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, July 31, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/dzhokhar-tsarnaev-trials-boston-marathon-bombing-ap-top-news-bombings-af38a703ab88fe922629dcc254cb41df; Travis Anderson, “Lawyers for Boston Marathon bomber ask Supreme Court to deny government request to review appellate ruling tossing death penalty,” Boston Globe, December 17, 2020, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/17/metro/lawyers-boston-marathon-bomber-ask-supreme-court-deny-government-request-review-appellate-ruling-tossing-death-penalty/; Mark Sherman, “Court could reimpose Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, March 22, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/court-could-reimpose-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-death-sentence-719087dcbe7145514094fe3c7da8d9bf. but the Supreme Court reinstated the sentence in March 2022.Mark Sherman, “High court reimposes Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, March 4, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/bombings-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-e52706c006644cfcb3f742cf78afa6d0. Tsarnaev’s attorneys filed another appeal in January 2023.Alanna Durkin Richer, “Court weighs tossing Boston marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, January 10, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-government-legal-proceedings-crime-boston-f32276fbfccb77fca2a08ae831d7f4df; Shelley Murphy, “Where the legal battle over Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s death sentence stands a decade after the Marathon bombings,” Boston Globe, April 16, 2023, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/16/sports/boston-marathon-bombing-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/. On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston demanded further investigation of Tsarnaev’s claims of juror misconduct during the 2015 trial.Nate Raymond, “US appeals court directs probe of juror bias in Boston Marathon bomber’s case,” Reuters, March 21, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-court-directs-inquiry-into-juror-bias-boston-marathon-bombers-trial-2024-03-21/.
At the Boston Marathon, the Tsarnaev brothers placed two pressure-cooker bombs near the race’s finish line. Each device “killed at least one person, maimed, burned and wounded scores of others, and damaged public and private property,” according to the criminal complaint filed against Tsarnaev.“United States of America v. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, April 21, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/363201342213441988148.pdf. Three days after the bombings, on April 18, the brothers carjacked a vehicle and fled to Watertown, Massachusetts, west of Boston. On April 19, Boston police and SWAT team members found Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hiding in an upturned boat in a backyard at 67 Franklin Street, Watertown. After a gunfight that killed Tamerlan and injured Dzhokhar, Dzhokhar was arrested and brought in for questioning.“United States of America v. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev a/k/a/ ‘Jahar Tsarni,’” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, June 27, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ma/legacy/2013/06/27/Indictment1.pdf.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was charged with 30 counts and pleaded not guilty to all of them. On April 8, 2015, he was found guilty on all 30 charges including causing death by use of a weapon of mass destruction. The following month, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. The day after his conviction, he was transferred to a maximum-security prison near Florence, Colorado. During his trial, Tsarnaev’s defense lawyers suggested he was heavily influenced by his older brother Tamarlan and therefore less responsible for the bombings.Patricia Wen and Milton J. Valencia, “Tsarnaev defense keeps focusing on brother’s influence,” Boston Globe, April 28, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/28/defense-continues-push-for-life-prison-for-tsarnaev-boston-marathon-bomber/GFWPFfPF8PD293g4F6aH7M/story.html.
An ethnic Chechen, Tsarnaev was born in the northern Kyrgyz town of Tokmok near the Khazak border. His family fled to Dagestan following the Russian invasion of Chechnya in 1999. His family was also prompted to flee following the purge of Chechens from the Kyrgyz government, which caused his father to lose his job.Janet Reitman, “Jahar’s World,” Rolling Stone, July 17, 2013, http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/jahars-world-20130717. Tsarnaev arrived in the United States as a child in 2002, and lived in Massachusetts.Lara Jakes, Matt Apuzzo, and Rodrique Ngowi, “Officials: Suspect described plot before Miranda,” Associated Press, April 25, 2013, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/lawmakers-ask-who-knew-what-about-bomb-suspect. In high school, Tsarnaev was “as American as they come,” became wrestling team captain, and “partied hard and studied when he had to,” according to the Washington Post.Marc Fisher, “The Tsarnaev family: A faded portrait of an immigrant’s American dream,” Washington Post, April 27, 2013, http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/feature/wp/2013/04/27/the-tsarnaev-family-a-faded-portrait-of-an-immigrants-american-dream/. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen on September 11, 2012.Janet Reitman, “Jahar’s World,” Rolling Stone, July 17, 2013, http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/jahars-world-20130717.
Tsarnaev was inspired to murder in part by the Yemeni-American Islamist preacher Anwar al-Awlaki.Patricia Wen, “Tsarnaev posted radical messages on second Twitter account, FBI agent testifies,” Boston Globe, March 10, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/03/09/tsarnaev-had-second-secret-twitter-account-witness-testifies/lgiJqqmXlD3ua8HmFLnAZO/story.html. Al-Awlaki—the former director of external operations for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)—was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike on the orders of President Obama in 2011. Tsarnaev exhorted friends via Twitter to listen to al-Awlaki’s sermons. Tsarnaev downloaded al-Awlaki-authored and -inspired materials, including a copy of a book entitled “The Slicing Sword Against The One Who Forms Allegiances With The Disbelievers And Takes Them As Supporters Instead Of Allah, His Messenger And The Believers,” which contains a foreword by al-Awlaki. He also downloaded Volume One of AQAP’s magazine Inspire, which contains instructions on how to construct a bomb. Just three weeks before the Boston bombings, he tweeted, “Listen to Anwar al-Awlaki’s ... here after series… you will gain an unbelievable amount of knowledge.” YouTube videos of al-Awlaki were found on Dzhokhar and Tamerlan’s electronic devices.Scott Shane, “The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki,” New York Times, August 27, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html?_r=1;
Ann O’Neill, “The 13th Juror: The radicalization of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” CNN, March 30, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/us/tsarnaev-13th-juror-jahar-radicalization/;
“United States of America v. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev a/k/a/ ‘Jahar Tsarni,’” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, June 27, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ma/legacy/2013/06/27/Indictment1.pdf.
In December 2015, after Tsarnaev’s death sentence was confirmed, his lawyers argued for a re-trial and new sentencing. They argued that his older brother Tamerlan was the mastermind of the bombing, and that it was unfair to hold the trial in Boston because the jury could not be impartial. Tsarnaev is presently held at the Supermax prison in Colorado.Associated Press, “Boston Marathon bomber’s lawyers urge judge to grant new trial,” Guardian (London), December 1, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/boston-marathon-bomber-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-lawyers-new-trial. In June 2016, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri warned of the “gravest of consequences” for the United States if Tsarnaev, or any other Muslim prisoner in U.S. custody, is harmed.Alan Yuhas, “Al-Qaida leader: 'grave consequences' for US if Boston bomber executed,” Guardian (London), July 1, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/01/al-qaida-boston-marathon-bomber-tsarnaev-execution. On July 31, 2020, Boston’s 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld 27 of Tsarnaev’s convictions but overturned the death sentence on the grounds that the presiding judge had inaccurately screened jurors for potential bias. The court also called for a new penalty phase trial to weigh a death sentence.Alanna Durkin Richer, “Court overturns Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, July 31, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/dzhokhar-tsarnaev-trials-boston-marathon-bombing-ap-top-news-bombings-af38a703ab88fe922629dcc254cb41df. In October 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to reinstate Tsarnaev’s death sentence.Justine Coleman, “DOJ asks Supreme Court to reinstate death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber,” Hill, October 7, 2020, https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/519944-doj-asks-supreme-court-to-reinstate-death-penalty-for-boston. Lawyers for Tsarnaev have asked the Supreme Court to deny the request.Travis Anderson, “Lawyers for Boston Marathon bomber ask Supreme Court to deny government request to review appellate ruling tossing death penalty,” Boston Globe, December 17, 2020, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/17/metro/lawyers-boston-marathon-bomber-ask-supreme-court-deny-government-request-review-appellate-ruling-tossing-death-penalty/.
On January 4, 2021, Tsarnaev filed a $250,000 lawsuit against the U.S. government alleging “unlawful, unreasonable and discriminatory” treatment. In the suit, Tsarnaev complained that he had been limited to three showers a week. He also claimed prison guards had confiscated a baseball hat and bandana he purchased in the prison commissary because they thought he was disrespecting the FBI and victims of the Boston Marathon bombing by wearing them. According to the suit, Tsarnaev’s treatment is contributing to his “mental and physical decline.”“Boston Marathon bomber sues over ballcap, showers in prison,” Associated Press, January 7, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/boston-lawsuits-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-6291406e4d86d029ae5b4d28d8cde16c.
On March 22, 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the government’s appeal on Tsarnaev’s death penalty, filed by the Trump administration in October 2020. The administration of Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, initially sought the death penalty for Tsarnaev. President Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president, has signaled his opposition to the death penalty in general.Mark Sherman, “Court could reimpose Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, March 22, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/court-could-reimpose-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-death-sentence-719087dcbe7145514094fe3c7da8d9bf. Biden’s Justice Department halted federal executions in July 2021, citing the need to review policies and procedures after the Trump administration carried out 13 executions within a six-month span.Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long, and Michael Tarm, “Federal executions halted; Garland orders protocols reviewed,” Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-executions-government-and-politics-9daf230ef2257b901cb0dfeeeb60be44. Nonetheless, the Biden administration pursued Tsarnaev’s death penalty in the case United States v. Tsarnaev, No. 20-443. Government attorneys argued before the Supreme Court in October 2021 to have the sentence reinstated.Adam Liptak, “Supreme Court Seems Ready to Restore Death Sentence for Boston Marathon Bomber,” New York Times, last updated October 18, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/13/us/politics/supreme-court-death-sentence-boston-marathon-bomber.html.
On March 4, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to reinstate Tsarnaev’s death sentence, reversing the July 2020 1st Circuit ruling that the trial judge improperly excluded evidence that could have shown Tsarnaev was less responsible for the marathon attack as he was deeply influenced by his older brother, Tamerlan. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, “Dzhokhar Tsarnaev committed heinous crimes. The Sixth Amendment nonetheless guaranteed him a fair trial before an impartial jury. He received one.”Mark Sherman, “High court reimposes Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, March 4, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/bombings-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-e52706c006644cfcb3f742cf78afa6d0. In his dissent on behalf of the court’s three liberal justices, Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the Court of Appeals “acted lawfully in holding that the District Court should have allowed Dzhokhar to introduce this evidence.”Mark Sherman, “High court reimposes Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, March 4, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/bombings-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-e52706c006644cfcb3f742cf78afa6d0. Despite the ruling, the Justice Department’s moratorium on federal executions is likely to further delay the execution.
On January 10, 2023, Tsarnaev’s attorneys filed an appeal with the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston to have Tsarnaev’s death sentence thrown out because of juror misconduct. They argued two jurors lied during jury selection. According to the attorneys, one juror lied during selection about not having publicly commented on the case, while another had contact with Tsarnaev’s Facebook friends. One of those friends reportedly urged the juror to “play the part” so he could get on the jury and send Tsarnaev to “jail where he will be taken of.”Alanna Durkin Richer, “Court weighs tossing Boston marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, January 10, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-government-legal-proceedings-crime-boston-f32276fbfccb77fca2a08ae831d7f4df. Tsarnaev’s attorneys argued the judge denied Tsarnaev a fair trial by refusing to excuse the two jurors in question and by refusing to hold the trial outside of Boston.Alanna Durkin Richer, “Court weighs tossing Boston marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, January 10, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-government-legal-proceedings-crime-boston-f32276fbfccb77fca2a08ae831d7f4df; Shelley Murphy, “Where the legal battle over Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s death sentence stands a decade after the Marathon bombings,” Boston Globe, April 16, 2023, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/16/sports/boston-marathon-bombing-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/.
In April 2023, streaming service Netflix released a docuseries on the Tsarnaev brothers called American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing. The 10-part series interviews survivors, family of the bombing’s victims, as well as people who personally knew the Tsarnaev brothers. The series traces the events that led to Tamerlan’s death and Dzhokhar’s capture.Amanda Richards and Ingrid Ostby, “‘American Manhunt’ Revisits the Boston Marathon Bombing, 10 Years Later,” Netflix, April 12, 2023, https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/american-manhunt-the-boston-marathon-bombing-release-date-news. Boston Globe reporter David Filipov also gives his perspective. Filipov wrote a December 2013 article on the Tsarnaevs that revealed Tamerlan claimed from an early age he heard a voice in his head that told him to commit various acts. According to the 2013 article, one doctor was concerned Tamerlan was schizophrenic. Media observers noted this piece of information on Tamerlan’s possible psychosis did not appear in the Netflix series.Laura Jane Turner, “Netflix’s Boston Marathon Bombing documentary doesn’t quite address its own controversy,” Digital Spy, April 13, 2023, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a43575200/tsarnaev-brothers-boston-marathon-bombing-documentary/.
On March 21, 2024, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston directed the presiding judge of the 2015 trial to investigate whether two of the jurors were biased against Tsarnaev and should not have been seated.Nate Raymond, “US appeals court directs probe of juror bias in Boston Marathon bomber’s case,” Reuters, March 21, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-court-directs-inquiry-into-juror-bias-boston-marathon-bombers-trial-2024-03-21/. According to court documents, two of the jurors were not thoroughly questioned or were dishonest about their exposure to the attack via social media and the news prior to the jury selection process.Alanna Durkin Richer, “Appeals court orders judge to probe claims of juror bias in Boston Marathon bomber’s case,” Associated Press, March 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/boston-marathon-bombing-tsarnaev-juror-bias-4cf3031d41cb0ab1bd1cad2bd3ad107a. If the lower court’s investigation reveals that either of two jurors could have been disqualified, the court will vacate Tsarnaev’s death sentence and grant him a new penalty-phase trial.Nate Raymond, “US appeals court directs probe of juror bias in Boston Marathon bomber’s case,” Reuters, March 21, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-court-directs-inquiry-into-juror-bias-boston-marathon-bombers-trial-2024-03-21/. As of March 2024, Tsarnaev remained on death row at a federal supermax prison in Colorado.Danny McDonald, “Federal Prosecutors Want Tsarnaev’s Entire Inmate Account to Go Toward His Outstanding Criminal Penalties,” Boston Globe, March 26, 2024, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/26/metro/federal-prosecutors-want-tsarnaevs-entire-inmate-account-go-toward-his-outstanding-criminal-penalties/.
Domestic terrorist: Convicted and sentenced to death for plotting and executing the bombing of the 2013 Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 250 others.
Dzhokhar downloaded an electronic copy of a book entitled “The Slicing Sword Against The One Who Forms Allegiances With The Disbelievers And Takes Them As Supporters Instead Of Allah, His Messenger And The Believers” with a forward by Anwar al-Awlaki; Downloaded Volume One of al-Awlaki’s Inspire, which includes bomb-building instructions; Approximately three weeks before the Boston bombings, Tsarnaev tweeted: “Listen to Anwar al-Awlaki’s ... here after series… you will gain an unbelievable amount of knowledge”; Al-Awlaki’s YouTube videos were found on Dzhokhar’s—and his brother Tamerlan’s—electronic devices.
Carried out the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings alongside his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, that killed three people and injured more than 250. Convicted of 30 charges related to the attack and in May 2015, was sentenced to death.
Downloaded a book with a forward by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki, as well a copy of an issue of AQAP’s Inspire magazine that included bomb-making instructions and graphic content. Told investigators that he and his brother Tamerlan learned to make the bombs used in the Boston Marathon from the instructions in Inspire. Some of Awlaki’s speeches and YouTube videos, including his “Hereafter” series, were found on Dzokhar’s electronic devices.
Minh Quang Pham is a Vietnamese-born British convert to Islam who pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and accepted a suicide mission from the late AQAP leader Anwar al-Awlaki. Pham was arrested by British authorities before he could carry out the attack. He later told U.S. authorities that he had been “deluded” by AQAP’s propaganda.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0. In January 2016, Pham pled guilty in U.S. federal court to pledging allegiance to AQAP, receiving military training the terrorist group, and carrying a weapon on its behalf.“Member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Charges,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 8, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/member-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-pleads-guilty-terrorism-charges. He was sentenced to 40 years in U.S. prison in late May 2016.“UK citizen Minh Quang Pham jailed for Heathrow suicide plot,” BBC News, May 27, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36403825.
Pham left Britain for Yemen in December 2010. In addition to receiving training from AQAP, Pham used his graphic design skills to help edit the group’s English-language magazine, Inspire.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0. According to the U.S. indictment filed against him, Pham came into contact with two American citizens in Yemen. The Americans are not named in the indictment, but their descriptions match those of the late radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan, a late Inspire editor.Benjamin Weiser, “U.S. Indicts Man Accused of Aiding Al Qaeda in Yemen,” New York Times, June 29, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/world/americas/us-indicts-man-accused-of-aiding-al-qaeda-in-yemen.html. Pham later admitted to working with Khan, although he claimed that they argued frequently and had a bad relationship.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0.
During a March 2015 interview with the FBI, Pham admitted to accepting a suicide mission from al-Awlaki. According to Pham’s account, al-Awlaki gave him 6,000 GBP (8,600 USD) to prepare explosives for an attack on London’s Heathrow International Airport.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0. British authorities detained Pham upon his return to London in late July 2011, and seized the money.U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York, “Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces The Extradition Of Defendant From United Kingdom For Providing Material Support To, And Receiving Military Training From, Al Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 3, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-extradition-defendant-united-kingdom-providing-material; “Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0.
British police arrested Pham in June 2012 based on an indictment and a warrant for his arrest issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York, “Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces The Extradition Of Defendant From United Kingdom For Providing Material Support To, And Receiving Military Training From, Al Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 3, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-extradition-defendant-united-kingdom-providing-material. After Pham’s extradition to the United States in February 2015, he told the FBI he never had any intention of carrying out al-Awlaki’s mission.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0.
In December 2015, Pham’s attorney, Bobbi C. Sternheim, claimed Pham could not receive a fair trial in New York City as a Muslim because of “the current climate of Islamophobia and hatred of Muslims.”Benjamin Weiser, “Seeking to Alter Jury Selection, Lawyer in Terror Case Cites Donald Trump’s Muslim Remarks,” New York Times, December 30, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/nyregion/donald-trumps-remarks-on-muslims-are-cited-in-terrorism-case.html.
Pham pled guilty in January 2016 to providing material support to AQAP, conspiring to receive military training from or on behalf of AQAP, and carrying and using a Kalashnikov rifle for the purpose of violence, charges that carried a maximum sentence of life in prison. Pham requested in his plea agreement to be relocated to the United Kingdom.Minh Quang Pham Plea Agreement, U.S. Department of Justice, January 5, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/811941/download.
Pham’s family moved to the United Kingdom when he was a child. He told U.S. authorities that he was bullied and did not do well in school. Pham began smoking at age 11 and turned to marijuana at 14. At age 18, his marijuana usage and partying became more frequent. Pham converted to Islam at age 21, and rejected his past life of smoking and partying. Pham joined the London chapter of Tablighi Jamaat (Society for Spreading Faith), a global Islamic outreach group that al-Qaeda has allegedly used for recruitment purposes.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0; William Langley, Roya Nikkhah, James Orr, David Bamber, and Massoud Ansari, “Army of Darkness,” Telegraph (London), August 20, 2006, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1526793/Army-of-darkness.html. In 2006, Pham traveled to India and Bangladesh with the group. They visited more than 30 mosques and witnessed extreme poverty in the two countries. Pham credited the trip with inspiring him to help “heal the world.” When he returned to London, he said he wanted to devote himself to humanitarian causes.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0.
Pham told U.S. Judge Alison J. Nathan that he knew AQAP “was an organization engaged in terrorist activity.”Benjamin Weiser, “British Man Admits Past in Terror Cell in Yemen,” New York Times, January 8, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/nyregion/minh-quang-pham-britain-man-linked-to-yemeni-militants-plea.html. He admitted to being misled by AQAP propaganda. Pham said he had accepted al-Awlaki’s mission in order to escape and seek treatment for scabies.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0. In a letter to Nathan, Pham wrote that al-Qaeda “is damaging the image of Islam” and he doesn’t “believe they represent true Islamic values.” He claimed that he had been “deluded by the prevalent misleading propaganda” online. Pham believed that he would have been killed alongside Khan and al-Awlaki if he had stayed with AQAP. He called his decision to leave “the right one.”“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0.
U.S. prosecutors dismissed Pham’s penitential statements and requested he receive 50 years in prison.Larry Neumeister, “US seeks 50 years in prison for Vietnamese man in bomb plot,” Associated Press, May 10, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/83457b4bf1774132b23ea7b7ba4a69a8/us-seeks-50-years-prison-vietnamese-man-bomb-plot. In late May 2016, Pham was sentenced to 40 years in U.S. prison.“UK citizen Minh Quang Pham jailed for Heathrow suicide plot,” BBC News, May 27, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36403825.
Attempted domestic terrorist: After traveling to Yemen to receive terrorist training, he plotted an attack on London’s Heathrow airport on behalf of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Accepted a suicide mission from al-Awlaki; Received explosives training from al-Awlaki
Foreign fighter, United Kingdom: Pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, leaving to join the group in Yemen in December 2010. Trained with AQAP until April 2011, including with AQAP propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki. AQAP sent Pham to the United Kingdom with money to buy materials for and build bombs to set off at Heathrow Airport. Pham was arrested in June 2012 and extradited to the United States in February 2015. He pled guilty to terrorism-related charges in January 2016 and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Converted in 2004 after meeting a Muslim classmate. Pham reportedly denounced his previous life of “night clubs, drugs and alcohol.” He traveled to India and Bangladesh in 2006 with Islamic outreach group Tablighi Jamaat, and credited the trip with inspiring him to help “heal the world.” During his trial, Pham admitted to being misled by AQAP propaganda.
(Age at conversion: 21)
Edward Archer is an American Islamist extremist. On January 7, 2016, the then-30-year-old fired at least 11 shots at Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett using a stolen police gun. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross told reporters that Archer carried out the attack because “[Archer] believed that the police defend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran.” Hartnett was badly wounded but survived.Emily Shapiro, “Man Accused of Shooting Philly Cop Pledged Allegiance to ISIS, Police Say,” ABC News, January 8, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-accused-shooting-philly-cop-confessed-committing-act/story?id=36169588. Archer was convicted of the attack, and sentenced to 48.5 to 97 years in state prison.Chris Palmer, “Gunman Who Pledged Allegiance to ISIS After Shooting Philly Cop Sentenced to Almost 50 Years in Prison,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 2018, https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/crime/edward-archer-sentencing-isis-police-shooting-philadelphia-jesse-hartnett-20180514.html.
Archer had reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS.Emily Shapiro, “Man Accused of Shooting Philly Cop Pledged Allegiance to ISIS, Police Say,” ABC News, January 8, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-accused-shooting-philly-cop-confessed-committing-act/story?id=36169588. He later told detectives, “I follow Allah. I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State, and that’s why I did what I did.” His mother said that Archer had been “hearing voices in his head” and that he required medical attention.“Police: Gunman who shot cop pledged allegiance to the Islamic State,” Philly.com, January 10, 2016, http://articles.philly.com/2016-01-10/news/69618068_1_police-officer-islamic-state-wounded-officer.
After the shooting, Archer was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, recklessly endangering another person, and possession of an instrument of crime with intent and weapons possession.“Alleged Pa. cop shooter arraigned, denied bail,” Fox News, January 9, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/09/fbi-investigating-alleged-pa-cop-shooters-trips-to-middle-east.html. At the time of the attack, Archer had been awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of forging documents and careless driving.“Police: Gunman who shot cop pledged allegiance to the Islamic State,” Philly.com, January 10, 2016, http://articles.philly.com/2016-01-10/news/69618068_1_police-officer-islamic-state-wounded-officer.
Archer had traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2011 and to Egypt in 2012. He was not on any watch list.Emily Shapiro, “Man Accused of Shooting Philly Cop Pledged Allegiance to ISIS, Police Say,” ABC News, January 8, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-accused-shooting-philly-cop-confessed-committing-act/story?id=36169588.
On February 1, 2018, Archer was found guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and several other charges stemming from the attack.Chris Palmer, “Gunman Who Pledged ISIS Allegiance Convicted in 2016 Shooting of Philly Cop,” Philadelphia Enquirer, February 1, 2018, https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/crime/isis-inspired-gunman-guilty-shooting-philadelphia-cop-jesse-hartnett-20180201.html. On May 14, 2018, he was sentenced to 48.5 to 97 years in state prison, the maximum allowable under law.Chris Palmer, “Gunman Who Pledged Allegiance to ISIS After Shooting Philly Cop Sentenced to Almost 50 Years in Prison,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 2018, https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/crime/edward-archer-sentencing-isis-police-shooting-philadelphia-jesse-hartnett-20180514.html. He is currently incarcerated at Forest State Correctional Institution in Marienville, Pennsylvania.“NK0791 – Edward Archer,” Inmate Search – Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, accessed April 7, 2021, http://inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov/#/Result.
Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan is an Iraqi citizen of Palestinian descent and a suspected domestic terrorist. Hardan entered the United States as a refugee in November 2009.Manny Fernandez, “Refugee Tried to Assist Islamic State, U.S. Says,” New York Times, January 8, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/us/refugee-appears-in-houston-court-on-terror-related-charges.html. In January 2016, the then-24-year-old was arrested on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully, and making false statements.“Texas Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” United States Department of Justice, January 7, 2016, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.
It was later revealed that Hardan had pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to blow up shopping malls in Houston, Texas.“Houston Terror Suspect Reportedly Wanted to Blow Up Galleria, Sharpstown Mall,” ABC13, January 13, 2016, http://abc13.com/news/houston-terror-suspect-reportedly-planned-attacks-at-2-houston-malls/1157091/.
In May 2014, while living in Houston, Texas, Hardan began using his knowledge of weaponry—specifically of machine guns—to aid ISIS by offering to provide training over the Internet.“Texas Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” United States Department of Justice, January 7, 2016, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. He applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen a few months later in August 2014.Manny Fernandez, “Refugee Tried to Assist Islamic State, U.S. Says,” New York Times, January 8, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/us/refugee-appears-in-houston-court-on-terror-related-charges.html.
In 2013, Hardan communicated over social media with another refugee in California, Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab. The two reportedly discussed travel to Syria. Al-Jayab spoke to Hardan about weapons training and told him he had fought against Bashar al-Assad’s soldiers.“FBI: Refugees used social media to plan fight in Syria,” KCRA 3, January 8, 2016, http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-sacramento/family-suspect-in-terror-case-went-to-american-river-college/37335406. Al-Jayab was arrested and charged on January 7, 2016, with making a false statement involving international terrorism.Shawn Brouwer, “Sacramento man indicted on terrorism-related charge,” KCRA ABC, January 14, 2016, http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-sacramento/sacramento-man-indicted-on-terrorismrelated-charge/37444394.
In a bond hearing on January 13, 2016, federal investigators testified that Hardan had plotted to use a remote bomb to blow up the Galleria and Sharpstown Mall in Houston. According to investigators, Hardan had told a government informant that when attacking the malls, he planned to place a bomb in a trash can and use a cellphone to detonate the explosive. He also told the informant that he sought to sneak into the Grand Prairie military base in Texas and blow up Humvees.“Houston Terror Suspect Reportedly Wanted to Blow Up Galleria, Sharpstown Mall,” ABC13, January 13, 2016, http://abc13.com/news/houston-terror-suspect-reportedly-planned-attacks-at-2-houston-malls/1157091/. At the bond hearing, investigators provided evidence including the cell phones Hardan had used, as well as a document in which he pledged allegiance to ISIS.“Houston Terror Suspect Reportedly Wanted to Blow Up Galleria, Sharpstown Mall,” ABC13, January 13, 2016, http://abc13.com/news/houston-terror-suspect-reportedly-planned-attacks-at-2-houston-malls/1157091/. Authorities deemed Hardan a flight risk and ordered him to remain in jail until his detention hearing. Later that month, Hardan pled not guilty to all three charges.Juan A. Lozano, “Federal agent says Iraqi refugee wanted to bomb Texas malls,” Dallas Morning News, January 14, 2016,http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20160114-federal-agent-says-iraqi-refugee-wanted-to-bomb-texas-malls.ece.
On October 17, 2016, Hardan pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. On December 18, 2017, he was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison following his conviction of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.“Iraqi Refugee Sentenced for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” United States Department of Justice, December 18, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/iraqi-refugee-sentenced-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.
Kounta Dallah is the alleged mastermind of the March 13, 2016, attack on a beach resort in Côte d’Ivoire. The attack, claimed by al-Qaeda’s North African affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), consisted of gunmen opening fire on beachgoers in the southeastern town of Grand-Bassam, killing at least 19 people.“Mali arrests third man in connection with Ivory Coast beach attack,” Reuters, April 17, 2016, http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN0XE0NJ. On March 22, 2016, Dallah was named as the mastermind of the Grand-Bassam attack during a joint conference held by state prosecutors and the country’s Minister of State and Minister of the Interior.Ange Aboa, “UPDATE 2-Ivory Coast arrests 15, seeks leader of al Qaeda beach attack,” Reuters, March 22, 2016, http://af.reuters.com/article/cameroonNews/idAFL5N16U5RI.
During the conference, state prosecutor Christophe Richard Adou said there was no question Dallah was at the scene of the crime.“Kounta Dallah, le présumé cerveau de l’attaque terroriste de Grand-Bassam,” AIP, March 22, 2016, http://aip.ci/kounta-dalla-le-cerveau-de-lattaque-terroriste-de-grand-bassam/. Though the prosecutor released Dallah’s name and photo, officials were hesitant to disclose details on Dallah’s age, nationality, residence, and place of birth.“Côte d’Ivoire: le suspect principal de l'attentat de Grand-Bassam identifié,” RFI Afrique, March 22, 2016, http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20160322-cote-ivoire-grand-bassam-attaque-suspect-kounta-dallah-terrorisme.
Since the attacks, Ivorian authorities have arrested 15 people, two of whom stand accused of hosting Dallah.“Kounta Dallah, le présumé cerveau de l’attaque terroriste de Grand-Bassam,” AIP, March 22, 2016, http://aip.ci/kounta-dalla-le-cerveau-de-lattaque-terroriste-de-grand-bassam/. Neighboring Mali has arrested three suspects in connection to the attacks.“Mali arrests third man in connection with Ivory Coast beach attack,” Reuters, April 17, 2016, http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN0XE0NJ.
On March 25, 2016, Dallah was falsely reported to have been arrested, when a man who purportedly looked like Dallah was stopped by security forces while traveling to Port Bouet, a suburb of Abidjan. The man was cleared of charges soon after his arrest.“Urgent Urgent Urgent – Kounta Dallah aurait été arrêté vendredi dans un car de transport à Port Bouët : Kounta Dallah, présumé cerveau de l’attentat terroriste de Grand Bassam, aurait été arrêté selon une source sécuritaire (25/03),” Ivoirebusiness.net, March 25, 2016, http://www.ivoirebusiness.net/breves/urgent-urgent-urgent-%E2%80%93-kounta-dallah-aurait-%C3%A9t%C3%A9-arr%C3%AAt%C3%A9-vendredi-dans-un-car-de-transport-%C3%A0; “Attaque de Bassam: L'homme arrêté ne serait pas Kunta Dallah,” Ivoirebusiness.net, March 26, 2016, http://www.ivoirebusiness.net/articles/attaque-de-bassam-lhomme-arr%C3%AAt%C3%A9-ne-serait-pas-kunta-dallah.
Dallah remains at large. A manhunt for him is ongoing.
Mohamed Abrini is a Belgian citizen, U.S.-designated terrorist operative, and a convicted participant in ISIS’s November 2015 Paris attacks and March 2016 Brussels bombings. He was arrested by Belgian authorities in April 2016 after security officials identified him as the “man in the hat” captured on security cameras at Brussels’ Zaventem airport during the March 2016 bombings, which killed 32 people.Umberto Bacchi, “Europe’s most wanted: Mafia boss and Islamist attacker in EU’s top fugitives list,” International Business Times, January 29, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/europes-most-wanted-mafia-boss-islamist-attacker-eus-top-fugitives-list-154086;
“Paris attacks suspect Abrini arrested: Belgian broadcaster VRT,” Reuters, April 8, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-shooting-abrini-arrest-idUSKCN0X51QK?utm_source=twitter. Belgian authorities charged Abrini with participating in terrorist acts, terrorist murders, and activities of a terrorist group.Chris Johnston, “Mohamed Abrini admits to being ‘man in the hat’ at Brussels airport,” Guardian (London), April 9, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/09/paris-attacks-suspect-mohamed-abrini-charged-with-terrorist-murders. Abrini and seven others were convicted on July 25, 2023.Paul Kirby, “Brussels bombers found guilty after long murder trial,” BBC News, July 25, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66299186; Belgian court finds eight guilty of murder over 2016 Brussels bombings,” Reuters, July 25, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belgian-court-finds-eight-guilty-murder-over-2016-brussels-bombings-2023-07-25/; Nicolas Camut, “8 men found guilty of 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks,” Politico, July 25, 2023, https://www.politico.eu/article/8-men-found-guilty-of-2016-brussels-terrorist-attacks/.
Abrini—a former drug dealer previously imprisoned on charges of petty crimes and robberies—is believed to have traveled to Syria at some point in 2015.Umberto Bacchi, “Manhunt for last Isis Paris attacks fugitives: Who are Najim Laachraoui and Mohamed Abrini?” International Business Times, March 21, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/manhunt-last-isis-paris-attacks-fugitives-who-are-najim-laachraoui-mohamed-abrini-1550800;
Tom Whitehead, Henry Samuel and Peter Foster, “Brussels attacks: who are the likely terror suspects behind the attack?” Telegraph (London), March 24, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/12200965/Brussels-explosions-who-are-the-likely-terror-suspects-behind-the-attack.html. Abrini grew up in now infamous Molenbeek, home to Salah Abdeslam, Abdeslam’s brother, and fellow Paris attacker Ibrahim, as well as alleged attacks coordinator Abdelhamid Abaaoud. Molenbeek is considered a hotbed of extremism, a major producer of foreign fighters to Syria, and a destination for obtaining illegal weaponry. The neighborhood is associated with an impressive roster of violent extremists, including suspected August 2015 train assailant Ayoub El Khazzani and May 2014 Brussels Jewish Museum shooter Mehdi Nemmouche.Liam Stack, “How Belgium Became Home to Recent Terror Plots,” New York Times, November 15, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/15/world/europe/belgium-terrorism-suspects.html; Tim Hume, “Brussels raids: Police hit Molenbeek, area at heart of Belgium's jihadist threat,” CNN, November 16, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/15/europe/paris-attacks-belgium-molenbeek/. Abrini was nicknamed “Brioche” because he worked in a bakery in Molenbeek. He frequented a neighborhood bar run by the Abdeslam brothers. Police shut the bar down in September 2015 after receiving complaints of drug deals taking place at the establishment.Robert-Jan Bartunek and Alastair Macdonald, “Belgians seize key suspects in Paris, Brussels attacks,” Reuters, April 8, 2016, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-shooting-abrini-arrest-idUSKCN0X51QK.
On November 11, 2015—two days before the Paris attacks—Abrini was filmed in a gas station with “childhood friend” and Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam.Tom Whitehead, Henry Samuel and Peter Foster, “Brussels attacks: who are the likely terror suspects behind the attack?” Telegraph (London), March 24, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/12200965/Brussels-explosions-who-are-the-likely-terror-suspects-behind-the-attack.html. Abrini drove with Abdeslam in a Renault Clio that was used during the attacks. According to the Belgian prosecutor’s office, Abdeslam had intended to participate in the attacks by detonating a suicide bomb near France’s national sports stadium north of Paris, but ultimately backed out.Alastair MacDonald and John Irish, “'I was a suicide bomber': Paris suspect charged in Belgium,” Reuters, March 20, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-shooting-abdeslam-idUSKCN0WK1KB. Abdeslam was captured by Belgian police in the Brussels neighborhood of Molenbeek on March 18, 2016, and Abrini was captured a few weeks later in Molenbeek on April 8.“Salah Abdeslam arrêté à Molenbeek, les opérations toujours en cours (direct vidéo),” Le Soir (Brussels), March 18, 2016, http://www.lesoir.be/1155105/article/actualite/belgique/2016-03-18/salah-abdeslam-arrete-molenbeek-operations-toujours-en-cours-direct-video; “Paris attacks suspect Abrini arrested: Belgian broadcaster VRT,” Reuters, April 8, 2016, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-shooting-abrini-arrest-idUSKCN0X51QK. Given Abrini’s alleged role in the Paris attacks, he was listed as one of Europol’s “Most Wanted Men” on January 29, 2016.Umberto Bacchi, “Manhunt for last Isis Paris attacks fugitives: Who are Najim Laachraoui and Mohamed Abrini?” International Business Times, March 21, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/manhunt-last-isis-paris-attacks-fugitives-who-are-najim-laachraoui-mohamed-abrini-1550800. Following the Brussels bombings and given Abrini’s connection to the Paris attacks, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Abrini as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on August 3, 2016.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 3, 2016, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20160803.
Abrini was arrested alongside fellow suspects Osama Krayem, Herve BN, and Bilal EM. While in custody, Abrini admitted that ISIS was originally planning to launch another attack on France, but that the group changed its target to Belgium following that country’s March 18, 2016, arrest of Salah Abdeslam.Kim Willsher, “Brussels terror cell ‘planned to attack 2016 Euro tournament’,” Guardian (London), April 11, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/brussels-terror-cell-planned-to-attack-euro-2016-tournament. Following the arrest, Abrini reportedly admitted his intention to be the third would-be bomber in the March 22, 2016, Zaventem airport attack—along with former ISIS fighter Ibrahim el-Bakraoui and suspected bomb-maker Najim Laachraoui—but said that he fled before detonating his device.Chris Johnston, “Mohamed Abrini admits to being ‘man in the hat’ at Brussels airport,” Guardian (London), April 9, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/09/paris-attacks-suspect-mohamed-abrini-charged-with-terrorist-murders.
On January 30, 2017, Belgium surrendered Abrini to French authorities for one day so that they could charge him for involvement in the November 2015 Paris attacks.“France charges suspected Brussels bomber over Paris attacks,” France24, January 30, 2017, http://www.france24.com/en/20170130-france-brussels-bomber-abrini-questioning-over-paris-attacks. He was charged with belonging to a terrorist organization, complicity in explosives manufacturing and transportation, and other offenses related to the attacks.“Brussels airport terror suspect charged over Paris attacks,” Belfast Telegraph, January 30, 2017, http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/brussels-airport-terror-suspect-charged-over-paris-attacks-35409158.html.
On July 1, 2021, Belgium transferred Abrini to France to stand trial in September for his involvement in the 2015 Paris attacks. “Belgium Sends Suspect To France For Paris Attack Trial,” Agence France Presse, July 1, 2021, https://www.barrons.com/news/belgium-sends-suspect-to-france-for-paris-attack-trial-01625151007?tesla=y. On September 8, 2021, French authorities began a trial at Paris’s Palais de Justice courthouse with almost 1,800 plaintiffs pressing charges against Abrini and 19 other defendants. The other 19 defendants—six of whom were to be tried in absentia—faced charges ranging from being accomplices to murder and hostage-taking to helping plan the 2015 attacks.Aurelien Breeden, “Trial Begins Over November 2015 Paris Terrorist Attacks,” New York Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/08/world/europe/paris-terror-attacks-trial.html. Abrini denied allegations of his participation in the attack to the French court on September 16, claiming, “in this evil that happened in France, I am neither the commander nor the architect. I provided no logistical nor financial help.”“Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam tells court the deaths of 130 people were 'nothing personal'” Sky News, September 16, 2021, https://news.sky.com/story/paris-attacks-suspect-salah-abdeslam-tells-court-the-deaths-of-130-people-were-nothing-personal-12408861. Abrini later admitted to driving some of the Paris attackers to the capital. On June 29, 2022, Abrini was convicted on charges including complicity to terrorist murder. Abdeslam and 18 others were also convicted. Abrini was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 22 years.“20 convicted in Paris terrorist attacks trial: Who they are,” Associated Press, June 20, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/who-are-paris-terror-attack-suspects-ad764ae48d055abb1270f272f1a8324e; “Paris trial: Salah Abdeslam guilty as historic trial ends,” BBC News, June 30, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61989354. Abdeslam was found guilty of murder and terrorism charges. He was sentenced to life in prison.George Bowden, “Paris attacks: Surviving suspect Salah Abdeslam found guilty,” BBC News, June 29, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61989354.
On December 5, 2022, Belgian authorities began a trial of Abrini, Abdeslam, and eight others accused of involvement in the 2016 Brussels attacks.Philip Blenkinsop and Marine Strauss, “Brussels bombing trial opens with strong emotions,” Reuters, December 5, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belgium-starts-trial-into-brussels-bombings-2022-12-05/. On July 25, 2023, the court convicted Abrini and seven others of complicity in the attacks. The court also convicted Oussama Atar, Osama Krayem, Ali El Haddad Asufi, and Bilal El Makhoukhi. Two men, a Tunisian and a Rwandan, were cleared of murder but were convicted of taking part in terrorist activities, along with the other six. Brothers Smail and Ibrahim Farisi were cleared of all charges. The sentencing phase of the trial is expected to begin in September 2023.Paul Kirby, “Brussels bombers found guilty after long murder trial,” BBC News, July 25, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66299186; Belgian court finds eight guilty of murder over 2016 Brussels bombings,” Reuters, July 25, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belgian-court-finds-eight-guilty-murder-over-2016-brussels-bombings-2023-07-25/; Nicolas Camut, “8 men found guilty of 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks,” Politico, July 25, 2023, https://www.politico.eu/article/8-men-found-guilty-of-2016-brussels-terrorist-attacks/.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Mohamed Abrini as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on August 3, 2016.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 3, 2016, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20160803.
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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