Feds Already Caught Potential Copycat Of New Orleans Terrorist, DOJ Says

Federal prosecutors charged a man allegedly inspired by the New Year’s Day massacre in New Orleans with attempting to join ISIS.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced terrorism charges against Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan from Minneapolis in a Friday press release, saying he tried to travel to Somalia to become an ISIS militant in December. The DOJ said Hassan “praised” ISIS follower Shamsud-Din Jabbar for his Jan. 1 attack that killed 15 people, bolstering past concerns that the attack would inspire copycat extremists.

“On Feb. 21, Hassan also posted a video of himself driving while holding a small ISIS flag inside the vehicle, as well as another video of himself driving with an open knife on his lap,” said the DOJ after an investigation of Hassan’s social media posts. “On Feb. 26, FBI observed Hassan driving while again holding the ISIS flag.”

Jabbar similarly drove a truck with the Islamic group’s flag stored inside when he plowed the vehicle into a crowd of victims before losing his life in a shootout with police.

The DOJ alleged Hassan unsuccessfully attempted travel while carrying a naturalization certificate — meaning he was born outside the U.S. and obtained citizenship. The agency did not say why the travel was unsuccessful.

Hassan is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, which brings up to 20 years in prison.