Court records and official announcements from the Department of Justice

FBI Arrests 18-Year-Old George Mason University Student for Plotting Mass Casualty Attack on Israeli Consulate in New York

Dec 20, 2024, 12:04 AM

The FBI has arrested Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, an 18-year-old Egyptian national and freshman at George Mason University in Virginia, for allegedly plotting a mass casualty attack on the Israeli Consulate General in New York City. Hassan, who was facing possible deportation, was charged with demonstrating how to manufacture an explosive with the intent to murder internationally protected persons. He reportedly provided detailed instructions on bomb-making to an undercover FBI agent, suggesting the use of a TATP explosive or an assault rifle for the attack. The FBI began investigating Hassan after receiving an anonymous tip about his social media activity, which included posts praising the Islamic State and advocating violence against Jews. The arrest has heightened security concerns, particularly in New York, where the FBI is actively working to ensure the safety of the Jewish community.