Stonebriar Centre considered target in foiled terrorist plot

Wade Glover, WTV Daily Update Producer|May 2, 2018

Perry Mellone

One of Frisco’s most visited areas, Stonebriar Centre, was a possible target in what law enforcement officials say appeared to be a plan for a mass shooting orchestrated in part by Plano teenager Matin Azizi-Yarand, who was arrested Tuesday.

A 17-year-old student, Matin Azizi-Yarand, from Plano West High School was arrested Tuesday and charged with solicitation of capital murder and terroristic threats for his connection to an ISIS inspired terrorist attack planned for Stonebriar Centre mall.  

Mugshot of Matin Azizi-Yarand, 17, arrested in connection to a planned terror attack at Stonebriar mall in Frisco.

At the time of his arrest, Azizi-Yarand is said to have sent $1,400 to others for their purchase of firearms and tactical gear for the planned attack. In the affidavit containing conversations between an undercover operative and Azizi-Yarand, Azizi-Yarand referenced “the 2 other guys” and their desire to “do something here”, raising questions about the potential involvement of other individuals aside from the undercover operative Azizi-Yarand was in contact with.

Azizi-Yarand also said, according to the affidavit, “[the others potentially involved] have been waiting on me to turn 18 and buy the guns”. Azizi-Yarand said that he had not yet purchased a rifle because he was not 18 and could not legally own the weapon.

The attack had allegedly been planned to occur during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins on May 16, to limit the number of Muslims who could be caught up in the attack, with Azizi-Yarand explaining “No Muslims are going to be at a mall when it’s time to be breaking your fast” according to the police affidavit.

The affidavit also detailed how Azizi-Yarand sent the undercover operative a “video showing how to stab/make a bomb”, along with a document created by Eric Harris, one of the shooters in the 1999 Columbine high school massacre, that detailed how to make pipe bombs.

For students who work and shop at the mall, the threat changed how safe they feel in one of Frisco’s biggest attractions.

“You don’t really think about [a terrorist attack occuring in the Frisco area] because it always happens somewhere else,” junior Anayah Rodgers said. “I guess there’s always a chance it’ll happen. I will probably just be more aware of my surroundings and pay attention to smaller things.”

The city of Frisco released a series of tweets following the arrest of Azizi-Yarand detailing how to contact the FBI should anyone have information on the case, and thanking the police departments and local or federal agents involved.

The FBI and city officials ask anyone who has information related to the incident to please contact the FBI at (855) 324-7257 or email tips.fbi.gov.