Intended Claim of Responsibility by Would-Be Portland Bomber Mohamed Osman Mohamud

| Print | E-mail

Written by Administrator Sunday, 28 November 2010 15:34

On November 26, 2010, federal agents arrested 19 year old Corvallis, Oregon resident Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, after he attempted to detonate what he believed to be an explosives-laden van parked near a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square. The FBI had been monitoring Mohamud for months and provided him with an inert device. In the lead up to his arrest, when one of the undercover FBI operatives noted that there would be “a lot of children” at the ceremony, Mohamud responded that he was looking for a “huge mass that will...be attacked in their own element with their families celebrating the holidays.” He also said to the undercover FBI agent: “Do you remember when 9-11 happened when those people were jumping from skyscrapers…I thought that was awesome….I want to see that, that’s…what I want for these people.” He added, “I want whoever is attending that event to leave…either dead or injured.” On November 4, 2010, Mohamud had recorded what he intended to be a claim of responsibility for the bombing, changing into a white robe, a white and red headdress, and a camouflage jacket, to be “Sheik Osama style”. In the video, Mohamud said, “From the Americans and others. A dark day is coming your way. For as long as you threaten our security, your people will not remain safe…Did you think you could invade a Muslim land, and we would not invade you…” He also addressed his parents, whom he alleged “held” him “back from Jihad…”

>> View PDF