Arizona terror-plot suspect faces 2nd day of testimony
Mar 9, 2016, 9:11 AM
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-area man accused of plotting a terror shooting at a cartoon contest in Texas was set to testify for a second time Wednesday in a federal courtroom in Arizona.
Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem was on the witness stand Tuesday and told jurors and prosecutors that he didn’t know about the Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest May 3 in Garland, Texas until later in the day.
The attack was launched by two other men from the Valley — Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi. They were killed in a shootout with police.
Kareem, a 44-year-old moving company owner, was charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group.
It’s unknown whether the attack was inspired by the group or carried out in response to an order from it.
He has pleaded not guilty. It is believed to be the first time the U.S. government has put a person on trial on terror charges related to the militant group ISIS.
Kareem was accused of hosting friends at his home to discuss plans for the shooting and providing the guns used at the contest.
He said the three originally men at a pizza place in northwest Phoenix in 2011 and attended the same mosque.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
