Posted on 12/08/2006 9:03:25 AM PST by janetjanet998
Edited on 12/08/2006 11:03:36 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
A 22-year-old Rockford man has been charged with plotting to set off hand grenades in an alleged terror attack at a popular Rockford mall during the busy holiday season, federal authorities announced today.
Derrick Shareef, of Rockford, has been charged with attempting to maliciously damage and destroy a building and to use a weapon of mass destruction against persons or property in the U.S., federal authorities said.
According to an FBI affidavit, Shareef met with an undercover federal agent in a Rockford area parking lot to trade stereo speakers for a handgun and four hand grenades that he intended to use at the CherryVale shopping mall at 7200 Harrison Ave., just off the junction of Interstate Highways 90 and 39 in the city.
The mall, with about 130 retail stores, was one of several potential targets, which also included courthouses, city hall and several government buildings, the complaint alleges. Sources said there was no imminent threat from the attack, describing it as more of a hopeful plan.
Shareef also allegedly told an acquaintance who actually was cooperating with the FBI that he wanted to commit acts of "violent jihad" against civilians.
Shareef told an undercover informant that he wanted to attack a courthouse in DeKalb County and "smoke a judge," according to the complaint.
"[T]he courthouse in DeKalb where I be going every month You go in there and you clock the first three [guards] at the door that they got, and you up in there, you know what I'm saying I just want to smoke a judge," the complaint quoted Shareef as saying.
The informant then asked Shareef when he wanted to stage the attack.
"What do you think? I like the holiday season," the complaint quotes him as saying.
Man charged with shopping mall bomb plot - Yahoo! News
CHICAGO - A Muslim convert who talked about his desire to wage jihad against civilians was charged Friday in a plot to set off hand grenades at a shopping mall during the Christmas rush, authorities said.
**********************
Sometimes the very most deadly enemies are the traitors within.
1. Have him tied down in the doorway of a mall that has a 50% off Christmas sale.
2. Mall Santa for Fat Kids.
3. Force feed him Ecoli veggies from Taco Bell.
4. Make him watch the movie and speeches of Al Gore.
5. Sushi Bar with Vladamir Putin.
and finally
6. The General Black Jack Pershing plan for controlling radical Islam!
Yes. Sorry.
I lived in Rockford for three years. It's the 2nd largest city in IL and no one knows of it because it's almost always lumped in with Chicago for many demograhic purposes. For better or worst, people in both cities know better.
Rockford has an airport with a runway large enough to land the Concorde (I was there when it stopped for a visit) and plenty of room to expand and _should_ be used to relieve the crowding at O'Hare but since Chicago couldn't collect tax in Rockford the idea always gets squashed.
Chicago-Area Man Arrested for Allegedly Planning Mall Grenade Attack
By Andrew Cochran
Derrick Shareef, 22, of Rockford, IL (a Chicago suburb), a convert to Islam, was arrested Wednesday when he met with an undercover agent to trade stereo speakers for four hand grenades and a handgun. "Shareef was acting alone and not in concert with any terrorist group, authorities said. Officials said Shareef had been under investigation since September, when he told an acquaintance that 'he wanted to commit acts of violent jihad against targets in the United States as well as commit other crimes.'.. He was charged with one count of attempting to damage or destroy a building by fire or explosion and one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction."
At a press conference today, the FBI agent in charge in Chicago, Robert Grant, said that Shareef was planning his attack for December 22, the Friday before Christmas, but there was no other threat associated with Mr. Shareef. Other potential targets that Shareef allegedly discussed included government facilities such as courthouses and city hall. Agent Grant said that this type of threat has been a point of focus since the London attacks in 2005. He also said the FBI tries to identify threats developing over the internet.
You can see the charging affidavit filed by the FBI here. It quotes Shareef from a video he made in case he died in the attack: "I am from America, and this tape is to let you guys know, who disbelieve in Allah, to let the enemies of Islam know, and to let the Muslims alike know that the time for jihad is now...be strong, oh Mujahideen...May Allah protect me on this mission we conduct...so do not cry, do not mourn for me."
This is another "lone wolf" alleged terrorist, similar to others which Daveed Gartenstein-Ross has written about on this site and elsewhere:
Daily Standard: The Problem of the Lone-Wolf Terrorist
Can Mohammed Taheri-Azar Be Prosecuted for a Terrorist Offense?
Shareef had no weapons, but he later began focusing on obtaining them, and also began "purifying" himself for the attack and videotaping himself in case he did not survive, Grant said.
Seems like such an obvious tactic that we all have been waiting for...really shocked it has not happened yet.
The ease with which one could pull off a "mall bombing" for lack of a better term is stunning.
If you were suddenly struck with the thought of doing it while eating lunch, you could build and pack your explosives, head off to the mall, and complete your task all within a couple hours.
There is NOTHING stopping you from doing it. Nothing as in security.
While that is a scary, yet real assesment of the situation, I do not support nor desire an Israel situation where cars are screened and searched entering the parking lot and persons screened and searched when entering the mall.
Maybe it is all a big conspiracy by "Big Online Retail" to cut into B&M sales and profits, because as we have been told repeatedly by the liberals, AQ and Muslims do not pose a threat to us here in America.
a convert to Islam..
stereo speakers for 4 hand grenades?
must be a nice set of speakers..
Shown in this courtroom artist's drawing is a man identified by authorities as Derrick Shareef, 22, of Rockford, Ill., as he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, in Chicago. Authorities said Shareef, described as a converted Muslim, was charged Friday in a plot to set off hand grenades in garbage cans at a shopping mall the Friday before Christmas. (AP Photo/Andy Austin)
Since we've nabbed the "Lone Wolf", I guess the war's over. What a relief.
Words have no meaning anymore.
They're lulling America into a false sense of security.
If November 7 was any indication (and it sure as hell was), it's working.
How come all these guys are so ugly?
Derrick Shareef, of Rockford,
I'm guessing that this twit didn't have a WAMM system to trade
Beyond Bose WHO WOULD PAY $125,000 FOR STEREO SPEAKERS WHO WOULD MAKE THEM - July 1, 2003
....."But his true love is running Wilson Audio, which builds the world's most expensive stereo speakers for stars such as Wesley Snipes and Lenny Kravitz."
On a different subject, the IRS may find itself owning a very nice set of speakers soon.
That's lame. Wait until Jan. 2, when the REAL SALES begin.
Come on now. That is a rather disturbing statement. And that is no lad. That was a serious wannabe mass murderer of babies in strollers along with their families.........if you can manage to visualize that. Or maybe you have already.
Moved to Rockford when I was 4. Attended Guilford HS. CherryVale is the mall where my mom shops.
If this was the plotline in a Hollywood movie or an episode of "24," CAIR would be raising holy hell by now. I can't wait to hear their statement condemning Derrick Shareef for inciting "Islamophobia."
Oh wait, for real-life events they will get out their script that says, "he is not a real Muslim!" Don't blaaaaaaame us! Waaaaaaahhhhh! Allah fubar!
HEY!! I resemble that remark!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.