Phoenix man tied to Texas shooting threatened Glendale Super Bowl

PHOENIX — A man arrested in connection with the shooting at a cartoon contest in Texas last month also made threats against the Super Bowl in Glendale.

Prosecutors say Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem is charged with orchestrating a shootout at an anti-Islam event in Texas wanted to join Islamic State and attack the Super Bowl.

Abdul Kareem made his initial appearance in court on Tuesday. The revelation at the court hearing shows that the Phoenix-based plot extended beyond last month’s shootout at a Prophet Muhammad cartoon event in Texas that led to the deaths of two roommates.

Prosecutors portrayed Abdul Kareem as motivated to join the burgeoning Islamic State movement as the terrorist group rampaged through the Middle East and gained a large following on social media. They obtained their information from a confidential informant.

Prosecutor Kristen Brook called Abdul Kareem “off the charts dangerous.” Defense lawyer Daniel Maynard calls it a trumped-up case based largely on an unreliable snitch.

The magistrate denied bail for Abdul Kareem, who is charged with conspiracy, making false statements and interstate transportation of firearms with intent to commit a felony.

His brother James Newman was shocked by the allegations.

“You don’t ever think something like this will hit home with someone you know and love,” Newman said. “I’m just waiting for the truth to come out and wait for him to get his justice and vindication, because he is not an animal.”

Newman said his brother has made some mistakes in the past but is not a terrorist.

“It’s hurtful. They painted a picture of him being an animal, and he’s not an animal,” said Newman. “He’s a loving family member, brother, uncle, son.”

Abdul Kareem was arrested last week on weapons and conspiracy charges. A federal court judge ruled Abdul Kareem is a danger to society and must be held in jail during his trial.

The Associated Press and KTAR’s Cooper Rummell contributed to this report.