An Arizona man previously accused of helping the Draw Muhammad contest shooters obtain weapons is now also accused of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization, according to a superceding indictment filed this week. Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem, formerly known as Decarus Thomas, was arrested shortly after the failed Garland, Texas attack and initially hit with weapons and conpiracy charges. Shooters Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi were killed before they were able to enter the building.
The latest charges reveal key information about the FBI investigation into the foiled attack. According to the new indictment, Kareem watched ISIS propaganda and execution videos with shooters Simpson and Soofi, and allegedly re-tweeted such videos. The indictment claims that Kareem urged Simpson and Soofi to “impose retribution” for U.S. military actions overseas while the trio was watching the films.
The indictment also alleges that Kareem, Soofi, and Simpson spent nearly a year researching how to travel to the Middle East for jihadist training, and spent several months in the spring of 2015 researching pipe bombs. After the location of the Draw Muhammad contest was announced, federal authorities claim Kareem hosted Simpson, Soofi, and other individuals at his home to plan an attack. “Kareem feigned having been struck by a car in a parking lot, and later attempted to make an insurance claim based on the incident in order to raise moeny to support the conspiracy,” the indictment alleges, adding that Simpson and Soofi carried printed out ISIS flags during the attack.
Despite the complaint’s mention of other individuals involved in attack planning sessions, Kareem is the only individual who has been charged in relation to the Garland attack.
—Katie Zavadski