A Canadian Islamist, in the U. S. for less than a week, is facing charges of airport violence in the stabbing attack of an airport police officer in Flint, Michigan.
A Canadian Islamist, in the U. S. for less than a week, is facing charges of airport violence in the stabbing attack of an airport police officer in Flint, Michigan. Federal investigators say Amor Ftouhi, 50, legally entered the U. S. on June 16 at the Lake Champlain, New York, border crossing. Ftouhi carried large hunting knife and yelled “Allahu Akbar” prior to going at a police officer at Bishop Airport in Flint, authorities said. That is the Arabic phrase for “God is great, ” frequently invoked before deadly Islamist attacks. He also allegedly said: “You have killed people in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan and we are all going to die.”Federal agents say he had a hatred for the United States which motivated the attack. Knives have been increasingly popular weapons of ISIS supporters. The wounded airport officer, identified as 55-year old Lt. Jeff Neville, was jumped from behind at his security post at the top of an escalator in a public area of the facility. Authorities say Lt. Neville is in satisfactory condition. He was stabbed in the back and neck and is hospitalized. Airport police say Neville fought the attacker until he, two other officers and an airport maintenance employee were able to subdue and handcuff Ftouhi. The Flint airport was closed through the morning and most of the afternoon. Several flights at O’Hare destined for the Flint airport were still on the ground in Chicago Wednesday afternoon. The airport was evacuated although reopened about 4 p.m. CDT. Flint is about 50 miles northwest of Detroit but Chicago is a major connecting hub for flights in and out of Bishop Airport. Authorities say Ftouhi has been speaking with investigators and there appear to be no other suspects in the attack or a wider plot. Investigators are now preparing to search the suspect’s vehicle and electronic trail for evidence of planning the attack.
