Police officers swarm the Dolphin Mall following unconfirmed reports of an active shooter in the area on August 19, 2017. Geo.tv via Miami Herald/C.M. Guerrero/Files

 

A Honduras citizen with sympathies to Daesh and residing in Miami appeared in federal court on Monday on a charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in a planned attack on a crowded Miami shopping mall, the US Justice Department said.

Vicente Solano, 53, planned to detonate an explosive in a crowded area of the Dolphin Mall and if convicted, he could face up to life in prison, it said.

Police issue 'all clear' following reports of gunshots fired in Miami mall

Some of the people present in the mall at the time took to Twitter to inform others of what has transpired

Solano discussed his plot with a confidential source and two Federal Bureau of Investigation undercover employees. Solano provided three videos to the source, in which he makes pro-Daesh statements and expresses anti-US sentiments, the department said.

At his court appearance, a judge appointed an attorney, who has not spoken to media about the case.

As a part of a federal sting operation, Solano took possession of what he thought was an explosive device, tried to arm it and walked toward a mall entrance to launch his attack.

He was arrested, the department said.

The device was inert and did not pose a risk to the public, it said.

Solano is scheduled to have a pre-trial detention hearing on Thursday.