Photo Courtesy of FBI
The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau collaborated on the Alam investigation.
By Forum Staff
A Jackson Heights man who allegedly wanted to attack Times Square has been arrested for buying guns with obliterated serial numbers, federal prosecutors announced on Friday.
Ashiqul Alam, 22, was arraigned on Friday afternoon on a criminal complaint charging him with knowingly receiving two firearms with obliterated serial numbers. The judge issued an order of detention for Alam, indicating that he poses a danger to the community and a risk of flight. Alam’s next hearing date has been scheduled for June 21.
As alleged in the complaint, between August 2018 and the present, Alam repeatedly expressed a desire to purchase firearms and explosives for use in a terrorist attack. Alam identified two targets: either Times Square or Washington, D.C., in order to kill a senior government official. In January, Alam conducted several “recon” trips to Times Square, using his cellular telephone to make a video recording of the area as he searched for potential targets. Alam considered multiple ways to conduct such an attack, including by using a “suicide vest” and by obtaining AR-15 assault rifles to kill law enforcement officers.
Alam conducted research about firearms on the internet and discussed purchasing firearms with an undercover law enforcement officer. In March 2019, Alam told the officer that he would be interested in buying a Glock 9mm pistol. The undercover agent introduced Alam to an “associate,” who offered to help Alam obtain two illegal Glock G19 handguns. In April, Alam underwent Lasik eye surgery, a procedure whose value he explained: “Let’s say we are in an attack, right, say that my glasses fall off. What if I accidentally shoot you? You know what I mean. Imagine what the news channel would call me the ‘Looney Tunes Terrorist’ or the ‘Blind Terrorist.’”
In May, Alam was told that the firearms he wanted to buy would have obliterated serial numbers, and he replied “Oh, that’s good man.” Alam then had repeated conversations and meetings with individuals he believed were going to sell him firearms, including one meeting in which he was shown hand grenades for purchase. Alam subsequently discussed buying grenades because a grenade could “take out at least eight people.” Alam also asked to order ammunition as well as weapons because, he said, “What is the point of getting a gun without ammo?”
On Thursday, Alam met the man he believed was going to sell him firearms and was shown two Glock 19 semiautomatic pistols with obliterated serial numbers. Alam provided $400 towards the purchase of the two pistols and asked whether he could also buy a silencer. Alam was arrested shortly thereafter.
“There is more to this case than just talk and the desire to carry out a terrorist attack. 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,” said FBI-New York Assistant Director-in-Charge Bill Sweeney, Jr. “Mr. Alam allegedly then took the steps to follow through on his deadly impulse, purchasing weapons to kill New Yorkers, target an elected official and attack police officers.”
