Pakistani Man Pleads Guilty to Plotting Attack on New York Jewish Center

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan admitted to planning a mass shooting to support the Islamic State group.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handgun magazine loaded with ammunition, the harsh lighting and dark background creating a stark, gritty aesthetic that conceptually represents the serious threat of a thwarted terrorist attack.A chilling glimpse into the tools of terror, this stark image reflects the grim reality behind a foiled plot to target a Jewish community center.Brooklyn Today

A 21-year-old Pakistani man named Muhammad Shahzeb Khan has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge for plotting to attack a Jewish community center in Brooklyn, New York in October 2024. Khan said he was motivated to support the Islamic State group in retaliation for Israel's actions in Gaza, and planned to use automatic weapons to kill as many Jewish people as possible at the center. He was arrested in Canada in September 2024 and extradited to the United States.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of homegrown terrorism and the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying and stopping potential attacks, especially those inspired by foreign terrorist organizations. It also raises concerns about the radicalization of young people and the need for robust counterterrorism efforts to prevent such plots.

The details

According to court documents, Khan planned to cross the border from Canada into the United States in September 2024 with the intention of carrying out a mass shooting at a prominent Jewish community center in Brooklyn. He had rented a space next to the center and boasted that he would carry out the largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Khan was in communication with two undercover law enforcement officers as he planned the attack, which he said was motivated by retaliation for Israel's actions in Gaza.

  • Khan was arrested on September 4, 2024 in or near Ormstown, Canada, which is 12 miles from the U.S. border.
  • Khan planned to carry out the attack in October 2024, coinciding with the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.

The players

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan

A 21-year-old Pakistani man who pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge for plotting to attack a Jewish community center in Brooklyn, New York in October 2024.

John A. Eisenberg

The Assistant Attorney General for National Security who said Khan planned a mass shooting with the explicit goal of killing as many Jews as possible.

Paul G. Gardephe

The judge who accepted Khan's guilty plea and is scheduled to sentence him on August 12.

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What they’re saying

“I was not raised this way. What I planned to do was wrong.”

— Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, Defendant

“Khan planned a mass shooting to coincide with the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks 'with the explicit goal of killing as many Jews as possible.'”

— John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

What’s next

Khan is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Paul G. Gardephe on August 12, where he could face up to life in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of homegrown terrorism and the need for robust counterterrorism efforts to identify and stop potential attacks, especially those inspired by foreign terrorist organizations. It also raises concerns about the radicalization of young people and the importance of addressing the root causes that can lead to such plots.