By Allan Lengel
The FBI on Friday morning arrested five naturalized citizens from the Middle in Metro Detroit as part of investigation into a suspected terrorist plot, NBC News reported, citing two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation.
The FBI carried out operations in Dearborn and Inkster, suburbs of Detroit.
Three senior officials tell NBC that there have been no specific targets identified so far, but the group allegedly discussed carrying out a terrorist attack around Halloween — or what they supposedly called “pumpkin day.”
NBC reports that authorities said the suspects had access to firearms and firearm training.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement Friday afternoon:
“Through swift action and close coordination with our local partners, a potential act of terror was stopped before it could unfold. The vigilance of this FBI prevented what could have been a tragic attack — and thanks to their dedication, Michigan will have a safe and happy Halloween.”
Early in the morning he posted on X that the agency had thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple people in Michigan in a Halloween weekend plot.
“More details to come,” Patel wrote. “Thanks to the men and women of the FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7 and carrying out our mission to defend the homeland.”
Detroit FBI spokesman Jordan Hall in a statement to Deadline Detroit in the morning said:
“I can confirm that members from the FBI in Michigan were present in the cities of Dearborn and Inkster this morning conducting law enforcement activities. There is no current threat to public safety.”
Dearborn Police issued a statement in the morning on Facebook saying the department had been made aware of the FBI conducting operations in the city early Friday morning.
“We want to assure our residents that there is no threat to the community at this time,” the department said.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer posted on X:
“This morning, I was briefed by Director Patel on the thwarted potential terrorist attack in our state . As details continue to develop, I am grateful for the swift action of the FBI and MSP protecting Michiganders.”
