Inside the FBI’s raids in alleged Michigan terror plot; Suspect’s attorney disputes claims
As federal agents executed multiple raids across Dearborn and Inkster this week — hauling away electronics and boxes of evidence — an attorney representing at least one of the individuals connected to the investigation pushed back against claims of a planned attack.
“We have no credible information to support the notion that a mass casualty event was planned or was going to be carried out,” attorney Hussein S. Bazzi said in a statement to Local 4.
Federal authorities said the operation is tied to an investigation into a potential terrorist plot discussed in an online chatroom, where some of the suspects allegedly referred to Halloween as “pumpkin day.” Authorities said the plot was disrupted before it could be carried out.
Residents on Horger Street in Dearborn woke up before sunrise to the sound of a flashbang as agents surrounded a home.
“We heard loud bangs. At first, I was unsure,” said Laraib Irfan, who knows some of the alleged suspects. “We’ve never seen the FBI out here, so we all hope it’s a misunderstanding. Hopefully, they’re not involved. They’re very nice people.”
Neighbors said a large family with several teenage and adult sons lived in the home and cooperated with federal agents during the search. Some family members were seen arriving back at the home after state police and the FBI had cleared the scene.
Agents also searched a storage unit at a U-Haul facility on Michigan Avenue in Inkster, along with two other Dearborn homes — one on Middle Point Street and another on Ternes near Hemlock. Michigan State Police assisted in the searches, which neighbors said lasted roughly eight hours.
“They were just going in and out of the house and the cars basically,” said Amar Fatteh, who witnessed the raid on Ternes early Halloween morning. “You didn’t think it would be in your neighborhood — we never have issues here.”
When Local 4 knocked on the home allegedly raided by the FBI on Ternes, one neighbor said they were told not to say anything. Then, not long after that, another vehicle showed up, began following the Local 4 vehicle, and intimidating news crews until they left the area.
Federal investigators said five people involved in the investigation are naturalized citizens from a Middle Eastern country and allegedly had access to firearms and firearm training. Officials said no specific targets have been identified.
“The FBI is doing what they gotta do to protect us, so that’s all that really matters to us,” Irfan said.
Michigan State Police could only tell Local 4 they assisted federal authorities at the locations needed. U-Haul told Local 4 it has worked closely with law enforcement to assist their investigation in this matter.
—> FBI, Michigan State Police raid Dearborn homes after thwarted possible ‘terrorist’ plot on Halloween
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