Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 9 September 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Pakistani National Charged for Plotting Terrorist Attack in New York City in Support of ISIS

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) press release states:

A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Sept. 4 in Canada in connection with a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

…

As alleged in the complaint, Khan, who resided in Canada, attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. Khan began posting on social media and communicating with others on an encrypted messaging application about his support for ISIS in or about November 2023, when, among other things, Khan distributed ISIS propaganda videos and literature. Subsequently, Khan began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers (collectively, the UCs).

Related Article:

• Man Plotted to Kill Jews in New York on Oct. 7 Anniversary, U.S. Says

Analyst Comments:

While this alleged plotter has been stopped, defenders need to be successful all the time, because terrorists only need to be successful once. Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should consider being aware of current and long-term threats, assessing their own risks, and taking action to defend against the threats.  FBOs should also consider taking action to be resilient if they do become a victim of an attack.

The anniversary of the October 7 Attack, the High Holidays, and other holidays are approaching. This increases the threat against FBOs and individuals. On 28 Aug, FB-IASO members received a Weekly Advisory on TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO START PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVES FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS AND UPCOMING EVENTS. The Weekly Advisory detailed steps that FBOs should consider.

The DHS Resources and Information for Faith and Community Leaders Regarding the Israel – Hamas Conflict website provides numerous resources which FBOs can use to enhance their security posture.

The following resources can be used by individuals while in public places during the current high-tension atmosphere:

• Personal Security Considerations Action Guide | CISA website
• UK’s National Protective Security Authority: Personal Safety and Security for High-Risk Individuals (npsa.gov.uk) website
• Personal Security Considerations Action Guide: Critical Infrastructure Workers (cisa.gov)
• CISA’s Conflict Prevention website can benefit anyone that deals with the public.

Apalachee High School Shooting Updates

• ASIS: Apalachee High School Shooting: What We Know
• Georgia Gunman (name omitted) Was ‘Ridiculed’ and Called Gay by Bullies at School. It appears the teen had fantasized about carrying out a mass murder for years. The 2023 Discord post that caught the attention of the FBI read, “im committing a mass shooting and im waiting a good 2-3 years… I cant kill myself yet, cause I’m not contributing anything to culture I need to go out knowing I did.” He also reportedly posted a photo of two guns with the caption, “I’m ready.” Police sources also told CNNthat (name omitted) had obsessed over other mass killings, including the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 dead.
• Security alerts at Apalachee helped save lives, officials say

Related Articles:

• Manhunt for Gunman in Kentucky Highway Shooting That Wounded 5
• 6-year-old found with gun at school raises safety, parental responsibility concerns