Former Ontario Student Pleads Guilty in U.S. Terrorism Case

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan admitted to planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn to support ISIS.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handcuff lock against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the physical evidence in a terrorism investigation.A stark, gritty close-up of the physical evidence in a terrorism case exposes the harsh realities of homegrown extremism.NYC Today

A Pakistani citizen who lived on a study permit in Mississauga, Ontario has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. Muhammad Shahzeb Khan was arrested by the RCMP near the U.S. border in 2024 and extradited to the U.S. in 2025 for planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn in support of ISIS.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of homegrown terrorism and the challenges law enforcement faces in detecting and preventing such attacks, especially those inspired by foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS. It also raises concerns about the radicalization of international students and the need for robust screening and monitoring processes.

The details

An FBI investigation found that Khan was planning the mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Khan pleaded guilty to the charges and is scheduled to be sentenced in August, facing a maximum penalty of life in prison.

  • Khan was arrested by the RCMP near the U.S. border in Ormstown, Quebec in September 2024.
  • Khan was extradited to the U.S. in June 2025.
  • Khan is scheduled to be sentenced in August.

The players

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan

A Pakistani citizen who lived on a study permit in Mississauga, Ontario and pleaded guilty to attempting to commit an act of terrorism in the U.S.

Jay Clayton

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who stated that "terrorism and other hate-based violence have zero place in New York City."

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What they’re saying

“Terrorism and other hate-based violence have zero place in New York City.”

— Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York

What’s next

Khan is scheduled to be sentenced in August, where he could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of homegrown terrorism and the need for robust screening and monitoring processes for international students to prevent radicalization and potential attacks.