BROOKLYN, NY – A chilling plot to unleash violence on Times Square has been disrupted with the arrest of Ashiqul Alam, a resident of Queens, New York. Alam, was taken into custody yesterday and charged with knowingly receiving two firearms with obliterated serial numbers, a clear indication of intent to evade law enforcement and carry out a planned attack.
The case, detailed in a federal criminal complaint filed in Brooklyn, reveals a disturbing pattern of radicalization and preparation. According to authorities, Alam harbored ambitions to kill both law enforcement officers and civilians, specifically targeting Times Square or Washington, D.C., with the goal of assassinating a senior government official. United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue minced no words: “As alleged, Ashiqul Alam bought illegal weapons as part of his plan to kill law enforcement officers and civilians in a terrorist attack on Times Square.” Donoghue emphasized the proactive intervention of government agents, who were monitoring Alam’s plans and prevented them from escalating into “deadly violence.”
The investigation, a joint effort between the FBI’s New York Field Office, the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), uncovered a timeline of escalating threats. Beginning in August 2018, Alam repeatedly expressed his desire to acquire firearms and explosives. In January 2019, he conducted reconnaissance trips to Times Square, meticulously recording the area with his cellphone, presumably to identify potential targets. His plans weren’t limited to a single method; Alam considered using a “suicide vest” and procuring AR-15 assault rifles.
The break in the case came when Alam began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer (UC-1) about purchasing firearms. He expressed interest in a Glock 9mm pistol, leading to an introduction to an “associate” who offered to provide two illegal Glock G19 pistols. Notably, Alam explicitly approved of the firearms having obliterated serial numbers, stating, “Oh, that’s good man.” This detail underscores his deliberate attempt to conceal the weapons’ origins, solidifying the case against him. Even during routine interactions, Alam’s mindset was revealed; before Lasik eye surgery, he joked about accidentally shooting someone if his glasses fell off during an attack, fearing the media would dub him the “Looney Tunes Terrorist” or the “Blind Terrorist.”
“There is more to this case than just talk,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. “Individuals who believe in the distorted and deadly propaganda of terrorist organizations and work toward acting on those deadly impulses are incredibly dangerous and unpredictable.” NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill added, “Our job is to prevent these terrorist attacks whenever we can before they are carried out. This case is another example of the tightly-knit teamwork of the JTTF and the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau.”
Alam is scheduled to be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak this afternoon. While the charges currently focus on the illegal firearms, the scope of Alam’s alleged terrorist intentions paints a grim picture of a man intent on causing mass harm. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, providing updates on the investigation and any potential further charges.
RELATED: Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to ISIS Plot
RELATED: Brooklyn Man Naji Charged in ISIL Support Plot
Related Federal Cases
- Love Scam Foiled: Bogus Nobleman’s Marriage Plot Unravels · Washington
- AG James Sues EPA Over Illegal Solar Funding Cut · Washington
- James Halts Illegal DOE Cuts to NY Energy Programs · Washington
- Cruz Caged: 46 Months for Guns, Drugs & Felon Status · Washington
- Ecuadorian Segundo Maynato-Guaman Charged with Illegal Re-entry · Washington
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News