HOUSTON – A Houston teen accused of conspiring to commit murder has been indicted under Texas’ new terrorism law, marking the first case of its kind in Harris County.
A Harris County grand jury has indicted 17-year-old Laith Adil Shehzad with prosecutors alleging Shehzad conspired to commit murder on August 18, 2024, with the intent to intimidate or coerce the public.
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According to the indictment, Shehzad also used a firearm during the alleged offense. The felony charge carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
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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. He was also seeking assurance that the gun, specifically a Glock with a standard magazine, an extended magazine, and a drum magazine he planned to use, was powerful enough to complete a mass casualty event.
The documents say Shehzad had been under the supervision of the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice after being found to have been engaged in delinquent conduct. During those 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, the documents say 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 has attempted to solicit roles in multiple mass casualty events as an explosives expert.
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.
The documents also say 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.
Shehzad is scheduled for arraignment on March 17. The state is asking for a $10 million bond.
The law applies to a person who commits or conspires to commit an array of existing offenses and commits or conspires to commit the offense 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.
BACKGROUND: Houston teen indicted for terrorism under new state law in Harris County
“I’m incredibly grateful to our dedicated law enforcement partners for taking action to prevent what could have been a tragic act of mass violence against innocent people in Harris County,” said Sean Teare, Harris County District Attorney. “Their vigilance and commitment to public safety have undoubtedly saved lives, and we are grateful for their unwavering efforts to protect our communities. The people of Harris County can rest assured that our prosecutors will pursue this case with the urgency and integrity it deserves. I want to thank the prosecutors in our Organized Crime Division for their dedication to this case and express my gratitude to the grand jurors for their service.