Somali Man in Mall of America Knife Attack Pleads Guilty, Claims Jihad; Watchdog Says Somali Youth Looking to Attack Americans in US

Mahad Abdiaziz Adbiraham, 20, pleaded guilty this week to stabbing and seriously wounding two brothers in a Macy’s dressing room at the Mall of America last November 12. Adbiraham (also spelled Abdirahaman) had his lawyer read a statement in court saying the attack was an act of jihad for ISIS.

Mahad Abdiaziz Adbiraham, Hennepin County booking photo.

Even more disturbing were comments by a spokesman for a watchdog group who said more Somali youth in the U.S. are looking for ways to attack Americans.

The claim of jihad as the motive for the attack has only been reported by KSTP-TV in Minneapolis. The rest of local and national media has not reported on it.

Court Records: Mall of America Stabbing Suspect Pleads Guilty, Calls it Act of Jihad

…At the plea hearing Thursday, Abdiraham’s attorney read a statement — which is public record — to the courtroom, which explained why he attacked the two men.

In the statement, Abdiraham said he went to the Mall of America to answer the “call for jihad by the Chief of Believer, Abu-bakr Al-baghdadi, may Allah protect him, and by the Mujahiden of the Islamic State.”

The statement added, “I understand that the two men I stabbed know and have explained the reason for my attack, and I am here reaffirming that it was indeed an act of Jihad in the way of Allah.”

Abdiraham also said in the statement that Americans will not be safe as long as “your country is at war with Islam.”

Omar Jamal, an activist with a Somali watchdog group, said he is aware of the statement.

“This is a widespread sentiment with Somali youth,” he said.

Jamal said the federal government’s effort to make it difficult for would-be jihadists to travel abroad and join a terrorist group has had unintended consequences locally.

“What is very concerning in this instance, is the fact that youth are exploring more ‘How can I do something here, what weapons are accessible,'” he said.”…

End excerpt. Please read entire KSTP article at this link.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on the guilty plea but ignored the statement on jihad, focusing instead on ‘mental illness’ as the reason for the attack.

A Minneapolis man pleaded guilty Thursday to felony assault in a November knife attack on two brothers shopping inside Macy’s at the Mall of America.

Charges stem from the stabbing of 19-year-old Alexander Sanchez and 25-year-old John Sanchez, both of Minneapolis. The younger brother suffered injuries to his head that will leave scars and cuts to his arms that went “to the bone,” and he needed a blood transfusion, according to charges. His brother needed dozens of stitches, the court filing said.

No motive for the stabbings was offered in the charging document, but it suggested Abdiraham has had psychological difficulties. Last year, he was arrested on suspicion of stabbing two staff members with a pen at an inpatient psychiatric unit.”…

Without the reporting of KSTP, Americans would be ignorant of the claim of jihad for ISIS by the attacker.

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Kristinn Taylor has contributed to The Gateway Pundit for over ten years. Mr. Taylor previously wrote for Breitbart, worked for Judicial Watch and was co-leader of the D.C. Chapter of FreeRepublic.com. He studied journalism in high school, visited the Newseum and once met David Brinkley.

You can email Kristinn Taylor here, and read more of Kristinn Taylor's articles here.

 

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