Plot to Attack Detroit LGBTQ+ Venues Foiled: Son of Iranian-American Poet Among Those Charged

Federal officials have arrested several suspects, including 19-year-old Milo Sedarat, after uncovering a plot to carry out a mass attack on LGBTQ+-friendly venues in Detroit. The investigation, led by the FBI and New York Police Department’s Intelligence Bureau, revealed the suspects allegedly planned an ISIS-inspired assault for Halloween night, reminiscent of the tragic 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida, which claimed 49 lives and injured 53 others .

Sedarat, arrested at his father’s home in Montclair, New Jersey, was charged alongside Tomas Kaan Guzel, also 19, who was apprehended at Newark Liberty International Airport while reportedly preparing to travel to Turkey en route to Syria for ISIS training. The suspects allegedly conspired to attack multiple gay bars in Detroit, with Guzel’s phone containing extremist propaganda and references to previous terror attacks .

The arrests were part of a wider operation that resulted in eight individuals being charged across three states, including Michigan, New Jersey, and Washington. Authorities recovered rifles, shotguns, pistols, over 1,600 rounds of ammunition, tactical gear, and GoPro cameras during raids in the Detroit area . The alleged ringleader, Mohmed Ali, 20, and several other suspects, including a minor, were implicated in planning the Halloween attack, with other members reportedly intending to travel abroad to join ISIS .

Court documents indicate the group used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate their plans, referring to the operation as “pumpkin” and discussing tactics inspired by previous mass-casualty terrorist events. Some suspects were allegedly considering additional targets, such as Ferndale’s LGBTQ+ district and Cedar Point amusement park, though defense attorneys have argued that much of the discussion was online bravado rather than evidence of concrete intent .

The arrests have sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly in Montclair, New Jersey, where nearly two dozen law enforcement vehicles surrounded the Sedarat family home. Roger Sedarat, Milo’s father, is an award-winning Iranian-American poet and professor at Queens College; he is not accused of any wrongdoing. Neighbors have described the events as “shocking,” with officers seen in camouflage and carrying assault rifles during the operation .

Sedarat has been charged with transmitting threats in interstate or foreign commerce, a federal offense carrying significant potential penalties. Neither Sedarat nor Guzel entered pleas at their initial court appearances, and both remain in custody pending further proceedings .

LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have expressed deep concern about the continuing trend of extremist violence targeting queer and transgender people. The foiled plot underscores the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ spaces and the urgent need for robust protection, community solidarity, and law enforcement vigilance. Such attacks not only threaten physical safety but also aim to instill fear and undermine the progress made toward equality and acceptance.

As federal officials continue their investigation, LGBTQ+ communities and allies are reminded of the importance of affirming and inclusive support systems, as well as the critical role of proactive measures in safeguarding vulnerable populations. The events in Detroit serve as a stark reminder of both the resilience and the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ people in the face of hate-driven violence .