A Toronto man arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ormstown on Friday is facing terrorism charges. The man allegedly tried to enter the country to carry out a mass shooting at a Jewish centre in New York.
A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice identified the defendant as Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a 20-year-old Pakistani citizen residing in Canada.
Arrested in Ormstown, Montérégie, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan is accused of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State terrorist group. The accused was reportedly intercepted as he was heading toward Roxham Road, with the intention of traveling to the United States.
“The suspect allegedly planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7 of this year with the stated intent to massacre, in the name of the Islamic State, as many Jewish people as possible,” Merrick B. Garland, New York’s chief prosecutor, said in the statement.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan faces two charges in Canada and a third in the United States, according to a statement sent by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
In Canada, he is charged with attempting to leave Canada to commit an offence for the benefit of a terrorist group, and participating in the activities of a terrorist group. In the United States, he is charged with conspiracy to commit an offence by violating U.S. immigration law.
Three other people were reportedly detained in connection with the case. The FBI and RCMP were cooperating on the investigation.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan will appear at the Montreal courthouse on September 13, according to the RCMP.