Three Kansas men accused of plotting to blow up an apartment complex housing scores of Somalis may have hoped to inspire more attacks on Muslims, but some Garden City residents say just the opposite is happening in their community.
A federal magistrate in Wichita on Monday ordered Curtis Allen and Gavin Wright, both 49, and Patrick Eugene Stein, 47, to remain in custody pending hearings in coming days. The men hoped the attack, planned for the day after next month’s presidential election, would “wake people up” to a perceived Islamic threat and inspire other militia groups to commit similar violent acts, according to the federal complaint unsealed Friday.
Halima Farah, 26, lives in the targeted complex. She said news of the plot rocked the Somali community of about 500 people in the western Kansas city of about 25,000.
“It was so scary,” she told USA TODAY. “Garden City is small and peaceful. I love living here. I didn’t think something like that could happen here.”
None of the suspects is from Garden City. Farah said authorities assured the community that the plot had been foiled and they should feel safe. Neighbors also showed support.
“People have been coming to our apartments and saying ‘We are sorry. Nothing will happen. We love you,'” Farah said. “That is what the USA is about. It’s not about divisions.”