Dearborn Heights man accused of planning terror attack on Detroit church

A man from Dearborn Heights has been accused of planning an attack on a Detroit church.

Khalil Abu-Rayyan was arrested on gun and drug charges but not been formally charged yet with terrorism.

He was allegedly involved in making terror threats on behalf of ISIL, according to an affidavit from the United States District Court of Michigan in federal court. He was being investigated since May of 2015.

Abu-Rayyan, 22, had been under surveillance on social media and had made the threats in monitored telephone conversations and electronic communications with an undercover investigator.

On social media he was found to have made multiple re-tweeting, liking and commenting on ISIL propaganda online, including videos of executions.

According to the affidavit, Abu-Rayyan told the undercover investigator: "I tried to shoot up a church one day. I don't know the name of it, but it's close to my job. It's one of the biggest ones in Detroit. Ya, I had it planned out. I bought a bunch of bullets. I practiced a lot with it. I practiced loading and reloading. But my dad searched my car one day and he found everything. He found the gun and the bullets and a mask I was going to wear."

He told the investigator he targeted the church because "people are not allowed to carry guns in there."

According to documents, he had a AK-47 with a 40 round magazine. He told the undercover agent it is the kind of gun that ISIL fighters carry.

On Oct. 7 he was pulled over for speeding with a .22 pistol inside his car and officers noticed a strong smell of marijuana. He did not have a concealed pistol license.

On Jan. 15 Abu-Rayyan pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and is scheduled for trial on a concealed weapon carrying charge Feb.16.