Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also referred to as “Shahzeb Jadoon,” is a 21-year-old Pakistani national who resided in Canada. He has pleaded guilty in a New York court to attempting to commit acts of terrorism that cross national boundaries.
Khan’s plot involved a plan to illegally enter the United States from Canada and conduct a mass shooting at a notable Jewish religious center in Brooklyn, New York. His intentions were documented in court records, revealing that he began the planning phase around November 2023.
While in Canada, he actively shared his support for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) through social media, disseminating propaganda videos and literature related to the organization.
His discussions of terrorist attacks in America, unbeknownst to him, involved two undercover officers posing as collaborators. Khan disclosed details about targeting Israeli Jewish Chabad institutions with AR-style assault rifles.
He instructed these officers to source firearms and ammunition while pinpointing specific locations for the assault. Additionally, Khan mentioned a human smuggler who could assist him in crossing the border.
In August 2024, Khan targeted a prominent Jewish center in New York City for an attack planned around October 7, 2024, coinciding with the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel. He acknowledged New York’s large Jewish population as a viable target, stating it offered significant potential for casualties.
Khan’s communications escalated in hostility, expressing intentions to “slaughter them” and urged the acquisition of weapons to maximize the attack’s impact.
<pHe claimed success could lead to the largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. On September 4, 2024, while attempting to reach the U.S. border, he was apprehended by authorities in Canada, roughly 12 miles from the border.
Khan was subsequently extradited to the United States in June 2025. He formally entered his guilty plea in Manhattan federal court and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton remarked on the seriousness of Khan’s intentions and praised law enforcement for thwarting the plan, affirming a strong stance against terrorism and hate-based violence in New York City.
