Brooklyn Man Receives Maximum Sentence for Firearms Violation in Texas, Foiled School Shooting Plot in Beaumont

Ahmed Abdalla Allam, a 26-year-old man from Brooklyn, New York, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas. U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs announced the sentence today.

Allam pleaded guilty to the possession of a firearm in a school zone and was handed the statutory maximum sentence by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on January 30, 2024.

The court heard that Allam purchased an AR-15 style rifle in Pennsylvania just two days after a counterterrorism operation led to the death of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Following this, he embarked on a journey across the United States, eventually parking his car near the Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica elementary school in Beaumont, Texas.

On January 29, local police discovered Allam’s possession of the AR-15, a 30-round magazine, and 150 rounds of ammunition during a routine traffic stop. Disturbingly, Allam had written about his plans to harm children and their parents as retaliation for U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. On the day of his arrest, he informed a parent that he was on a “mission” and that “no one would ever see him again.”

U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs commended the citizens of Beaumont and the Saint Anthony’s community for their vigilance, emphasizing that their reporting of Allam’s suspicious activities prevented a potential mass shooting. FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams highlighted the success of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ campaign, emphasizing that quick reporting by the community allowed law enforcement to swiftly respond and disrupt a potential attack.

Acting ATF SAC Francisco Ortega praised the collaborative effort of law enforcement partners in preventing a violent crime and encouraged community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary stressed the importance of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ campaign, emphasizing that protecting children is a collective mission. Singletary commended the leadership of Saint Anthony for their dedication to ensuring the safety of their students.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI’s Beaumont Resident Agency, ATF, Beaumont Police Department, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Port Arthur Fire Department, and Montgomery County Fire Marshall.