The FBI is officially investigating the Minnesota Mall knife attack as a “potential act of terrorism.” This as the suspect was identified as Dahir Adan, a Somali American who was also a Muslim.
He was identified by the Somali-American community. Adan was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer at the scene.
Leaders of the community gathered with his family in St. Cloud and issued a statement of sympathy ofr the family and nine victims of the attack, the SC Times is reporting.
Community leader Abdul Kulane said as far as they know, Adan had no history of violence. He was a smart, accomplished student at the local high school and was currently a junior at St. Cloud State university. He was also working part time as a private security officer.
ISIS has taken credit for the attack, claiming Adan was one of their soldiers.
Kulane said the last time he was seen by his family was between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday night. He told his family he wa going to the store to buy the new iPhone7. That was the last they heard of him.
St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said the victims were stabbed by a man dressed in a private security uniform.
Kleis called Falconer a hero and said he “happened to be in the right place at the right time.” Falconer identified himself as a police officer, and the suspect lunged at him, Kleis said.
Initially, Anderson said eight victims were taken to St. Cloud Hospital. On Sunday morning, hospital Communications Specialist Chris Nelson told the Times that five were released, and three were admitted with injuries that were not life-threatening.
A ninth victim drove himself to the hospital in Long Prairie and was initially unknown to officials.
Anderson said the attacker, who was armed with a knife, reportedly made references to Allah during the attack and asked at least one person whether they were Muslim. But Anderson pointedly declined to call the attacks an act of terrorism, saying the motive isn’t yet known.
Like the police, Minnesota FBI spokesman Kyle Loven declined to say Sunday if investigators believe the attack was a terrorist act. The FBI says it is assisting St. Cloud police in the investigation
Source: The Federalist
