The latest: FBI search Dearborn homes, multiple arrested in thwarted possible ‘terrorist’ attack
DEARBORN, Mich. – The FBI said multiple people were arrested in Michigan after authorities thwarted a possible terrorist attack.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests on X on Friday, Oct. 31.
Details into the thwarted attack have not yet been released.
Here are the latest updates:
4:37 p.m.
From NBC News: The five are naturalized citizens from a Middle Eastern country who had access to firearms and firearm training, two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation say.
Three senior law enforcement officials say that no specific targets have been identified so far in the course of the investigation, which remains ongoing.
4:18 p.m.
Hussein S. Bazzi, an attorney for one of the suspects, offered this comment to Local 4: “… we have no credible information to support the notion that a mass casualty event was planned or was going to be carried out.”
3:53 p.m.
According to the AP, the investigation involved discussion in an online chatroom involving at least some of the suspects who were taken into custody. The group had discussed carrying out an attack around Halloween, referring to “pumpkin day,” according to one of the people. The other person briefed on the investigation confirmed that there had been a “pumpkin” reference.
3:40 p.m.
A U-Haul location in Dearborn was reportedly searched by the FBI in connection with the plot on Friday. U-Haul offered this statement: “U-Haul has worked closely with law enforcement to assist their investigation in this matter.”
12:35 p.m.
The FBI says there is no threat to public safety in Inkster following a search warrant operation at a storage facility on Michigan Avenue on Oct. 31.
12:13 p.m.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement on Friday regarding the arrests, saying, “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.”
12 p.m.
Local 4’s Amaya Kuznicki and Erika Erickson are at both locations in Deaborn, where it’s still an active scene as the FBI continues to search the homes.
11:59 a.m.
NBC News reported that four senior law enforcement officials familiar with the case said the FBI in Detroit apprehended a group of young individuals into custody Friday morning who were plotting some form of attack with a possible reference to Halloween.
Those officials say the group has a nexus to some form of foreign extremism, but did not say if it was ISIS, Al Qaeda, or some other similar ideology. Officials stressed there is no current threat to the public.
One official told NBC News that some of the arrests occurred in Dearborn and Inkster.
A federal law enforcement source told NBC News that the FBI arrests took place in Dearborn and Inkster.
11:07 a.m.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a brief statement regarding the FBI arrests in a SNAP press conference Friday morning.
“We’ve been in consultation with the FBI in regard to this matter,” she said. “While I can’t speak publicly to the details of it, I can just say that I’m very grateful for the FBI’s work in protecting the community and keeping people safe, and I’m sure we’ll learn more about the details publicly later. I’m thankful for their good work.”
11 a.m.
Sky4 was at both Dearborn locations where the FBI is raiding two homes — one in the area of Middlepointe and Morross, and the other in the area of Ford and Shaefer. It’s not clear if these searches are connected to the arrests.
10:15 a.m.
Local 4’s Amaya Kuznicki and Shawnte Passmore are at both locations where the FBI is searching at least two Dearborn homes.
9:43 a.m.
Local 4 has been live in Dearborn, watching FBI agents search houses in two Dearborn locations. Here’s the latest:
9 a.m.
Local 4 crew spotted FBI agents searching homes in the area of Middlepointe and Morross, as well as the area of Ford and Shaefer, on Oct. 31 at around 9 a.m. Authorities have not yet confirmed if these are related.
8:51 a.m.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed with Local 4 that federal agents were in Dearborn and Inkster Friday morning. The spokesperson did not confirm if this was regarding the arrests connected to the potential terrorist attack.
7:37 a.m.
According to the Dearborn Police Department, the FBI conducted operations in the city on Oct. 31.
“We want to assure our residents that there is no threat to the community at this time,” wrote the police department on Facebook.
It’s not immediately clear if these two situations are connected.
7:32 a.m.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X early Friday morning, saying multiple people were arrested for allegedly “plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend.”
This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend. More details to come. Thanks to the men and women of FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 31, 2025
No further details were given, but Patel said more information will soon be provided.
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