From
Chicago Breaking News:A 22-year-old Chicago man was arrested over the weekend for plotting to carry out a bombing outside a crowded Wrigleyville nightclub, according to the FBI.
They also alleged that Sami Samir Hassoun, of the 4700 block of North Kedzie Avenue, had previously discussed a number of violent plots in Chicago, including a biological attack on the city, poisoning Lake Michigan, attacking police officers, bombing the Willis Tower and assassinating Mayor Richard Daley.
But he is only charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted use of an explosive device in connection with the plot near Wrigley Field.
Last June, Hassoun, who is a Lebanese citizen and permanent resident alien, began expressing to an "associate" the desire to commit acts of violence in the city for financial gain and to cause "political transformation in Chicago," the FBI said today in a news release. Unbeknownst to Hassoun, his associate was secretly cooperating with the FBI and assisting with the investigation.
Throughout the summer, he allegedly discussed with his associate the violent plots, but eventually selected the Wrigleyville area as his target, "utilizing an explosive device which he would detonate on a weekend night to inflict maximum damage," the release stated.
Because of his desire to carry out the attack, the associate introduced Hassoun to an undercover federal agent in July, who said that he was from California and had access to explosives. While meeting with the agent, Hassoun discussed several possible plots and scenarios in which he could make a dramatic impact on Chicago and force Daley to resign, the release stated.
Hassoun eventually settled on a bombing outside a Wrigleyville nightclub, the release added.
On Saturday night, Hassoun met with the agent, who provided him with a backpack that Hassoun thought contained a high-powered explosive device, according to the FBI. He was showed how it works, the release stated, and although it was intended to look real, it was made of inert materials and unable to explode.
Hassoun and the agent then went together in a rented vehicle towards Wrigleyville, where the bombing would take place. Hassoun was then watched by agents as he placed the fake explosive into a trash container, the release stated. He was then arrested near Eddy Street and Seminary Avenue -- about a block south of Wrigley Field -- and the fake device was recovered.
The FBI said "that at no time was the public in danger during this investigation" and "there was no indication that any foreign or domestic terror groups were in any way connected to this plot."
Hassoun is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court today before Magistrate Judge Susan Cox. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 5 years to a maximum of life in prison.
Note: WLS-AM is reporting that approximately 30,000 people were in the area that evening, following a Wrigley Field performance by the Dave Matthews band.
UPDATE: The suspect is in federal court this hour for arraignment.
