Mass Man Planned Terror Attacks on Malls

[havegunjoe]

This was the most interesting sentence to me. Why didn’t these would-be terrorists simply go to a gun show and buy the guns they were after. Isn’t that were most criminals and terrorists buy guns? Through the gun show loophole? "Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons."


Feds: Mass. Man Planned Terror Attacks on Malls
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:40 AM




BOSTON -- A 27-year-old Massachusetts man has been charged with conspiring with others to carry out terror attacks against shoppers in U.S. malls and against U.S. military in Iraq.


Authorities in Boston say Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah) of Sudbury sought training in terrorist training camps and worked with others from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" people in foreign countries and to kill prominent U.S. politicians.


Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons.

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Mehanna's attorney, J.W. Carney Jr., did not immediately return calls for comment.


Mehanna was arrested last year for allegedly lying about a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government.


A person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity says the man was arrested early Wednesday. The person was not authorized to divulge details of the investigation.


The person says the man is from the Boston suburb of Sudbury and had two co-conspirators.


Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah), of Sudbury, was arrested in November 2008 on suspicion of lying to authorities about the whereabouts of a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government.


Mehanna pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Officials would not immediately say Wednesday whether the man arrested was him.


http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us_...21/274947.html

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[kazzaerexys]

Yep, I just read Clayton Cramer's post highlighting that precise thing...

Funny, ain't it?

[goawayfarm]

"Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons."

Wait....I thought that because of the 'gun-show loop-hole', anybody could get guns & explosives without a background check!

[msgt/ret]

Scary thought, in just a few more weeks the malls will be even more crowded with Christmas shoppers.

[TheGreatGonzo]

Assaults by terrorists who are active shooters at shopping malls. Is this a situation where a having your gun with you might save not only your life, but countless others? Darned right it is! Folks, if this sort of stuff does not convince you to stay armed and stay alert...what will?
Gonzo

[goawayfarm]

Assaults by terrorists who are active shooters at shopping malls. Is this a situation where a having your gun with you might save not only your life, but countless others? Darned right it is! Folks, if this sort of stuff does not convince you to stay armed and stay alert...what will?
Gonzo

It makes me want to stay home & shop online.........

[retsupt99]

This is no longer if, but when...they found this plan out...how many others? Malls? Schools?

They gave this guy bail?

[Patti]

Mehanna, who has taught math and religion at Alhuda Academy, made a defiant court appearance hours after his arrest. He refused to stand to hear the charge against him and finally did _ tossing his chair loudly to the floor _ only after his father urged him to do so.

"This really, really is a show," his father, Ahmed Mehanna, said as his son was being led away in handcuffs. When asked if he believed the charges against his son, he said, "No, definitely not."

Prosecutors said Mehanna worked with two men from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy that, over time, intended to "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" soldiers and two politicians who were members of the executive branch but are no longer in office. Authorities refused to identify the politicians and said they were never in danger.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Loucks said the men justified the planned attacks on malls because U.S. civilians pay taxes to support the U.S. government and because they are "nonbelievers," Loucks said. He refused to identify the targeted malls.

Mehanna _ who received a doctorate in 2008 from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, where his father is a professor _ allegedly conspired with Ahmad Abousamra, who authorities say is now in Syria.

I can't believe he was released on bail. That's insane.

[chrise2004]

Luckily i just watched "Surviving Disaster - Shopping Day Disaster"

but on a serious note i thought about this when i was down in STL at the galleria and was carrying...the whole time i kept thinking about this last surviving disaster episode and what i would do...and also how in the show they didn't show any CC holders so i guess this mall was in WI or IL :)

Either way it's definitely something to think about and stay on alert for.