Trial set for Phoenix man accused of helping with attack at Texas cartoon contest
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-area man charged with helping to plot an anti-Islam attack in Texas has been scheduled to face trial next year.
Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem was arrested by the FBI in Phoenix in June on charges related to the shooting at a Prophet Mohammad cartoon contest in Garland, Texas.
Two gunmen from the Valley, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, were killed in the May shooting.
The trial was set to begin Jan. 14. Abdul Kareem was charged with conspiracy, interstate transportation of firearms with intent to commit a felony and making false statements.
Abdul Kareem, who was also known as Decarus Thomas, had been denied bail.
All three men attended the same mosque in Phoenix. Court documents said Abdul Kareem had practiced target shooting with Simpson and Soofi.
The federal indictment also said Abdul Kareem hosted meetings in his home, where they went over the shooters’ plans for the Garland, Texas, event and he supplied the weapons.
Authorities said Abdul Kareem wanted to join the Islamic State terrorist organization and attack the Super Bowl when it was held in Glendale, Arizona in February.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
