Introduction to the Case
A Houston man accused of conspiring to commit murder has been indicted under a new terrorism law in Texas, marking the first case of its kind in Harris County. Laith Adil Shehzad, 18, was arrested and charged with terrorism on August 18, 2024, after authorities say he conspired to commit murder with the intent to intimidate or coerce the public or a substantial group of the public. He was 17 at the time of his arrest. Shehzad was handed a bond of $10 million.
Background on the New Law
The legal proceedings are taking place under a new state law that created a criminal offense of terrorism. This is the first time someone has been charged with terrorism under this statute in Harris County. The law applies to a person who commits or conspires to commit an array of existing offenses with the intent to intimidate or coerce the public or a substantial group of the public. The offense is punishable by one penalty category higher than the most serious offense that was committed or conspired to be committed.
Details of the Case
According to court documents, Shehzad was communicating with an unknown individual claiming to be a confined extremist cell member who is in custody in the Philippines for acts of terrorism. Shehzad was allegedly soliciting support from the individual and seeking assurance that the gun he planned to use—a Glock with a standard magazine, an extended magazine, and a drum magazine—was powerful enough to complete a mass casualty event.
Previous Incidents and Radicalization
Shehzad had been under the supervision of the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice after being found to have been engaged in delinquent conduct. During the legal proceedings of those less severe cases, Shehzad was found to be in possession of homemade explosives as well as a journal with extremist propaganda and instructions on how to create high explosives. Prior to the indictment, in 2021, Shehzad admitted to members of the FBI that he was self-radicalized and subscribed to the ideology and goals of ISIS. He also allegedly admitted he was an expert with explosives and had attempted to solicit roles in multiple mass casualty events as an explosive’s expert.
Investigation and Evidence
When the FBI came to his home to meet with him, Shehzad allegedly concealed the Glock and a cell phone that contained evidence against him. The court documents also say Shehzad had multiple Facebook accounts he was using to contact accounts associated with ISIS. At the time of his probation from his earlier cases with the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice, Shehzad was not allowed to possess or use any cell phones or computers. A review of Shehzad’s Facebook accounts showed he was planning to imminently carry out a mass casualty event but was stopped from doing so by action taken by the rideshare service he was attempting to use for transportation.
Conclusion
The case against Laith Adil Shehzad marks a significant application of the new terrorism law in Texas, highlighting the importance of vigilance and legal measures in preventing acts of terrorism. The details of the case underscore the dangers of radicalization and the need for proactive intervention to prevent such ideologies from taking hold. As the legal proceedings continue, this case will set a precedent for how the new law is applied in Harris County and potentially elsewhere in Texas, emphasizing the commitment to protecting the public from threats of terrorism.
