PHOTO: Burton Police Officers gather at Bishop International Airport, June 21, 2017. (Photo: AP)
A police officer at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, was stabbed by a suspect shouting “Allahu Akbar” in what officials are calling “an act of terror.” Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios said at a news conference the suspect was Amor Ftouhi, a 50-year-old Canadian citizen who referenced people being killed in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Special Agent Gelios said also said Ftouhi was motivated to come to the airport and conduct this terrorist attack out of a “hated of the United States,” He legally entered the U.S. at Lake Champlain in New York on June 16, and then made his way to Flint.
The Islamic State (ISIS) has been calling for a surge in terror attacks to coincide with “Laylat al-Qadr,” or the “Night of Power,” which marks the night during the holy month of Ramadan that Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran.
It is Islam’s holiest day. Law enforcement officials and ant-terror forces around the world were put on high alert.
“I want to assure all our law enforcement across the nation, any attack on someone who serves and protects our citizens will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Attorney General Jeff Sessiosn said in a statement. “I am proud of the swift response from the FBI and our federal prosecutors and their partnership with local police and the Canadian authorities. Our prayers are with the officer and his family for a full recovery.”
Last year, the Night of Power fell on July 2 and the Islamic State sent a message urging following to cause “calamity everywhere for the nonbelievers.” That order was carried out, as the night was terrorized by a surge of deadly attacks.
Ftouhi used a 12-inch knife with an 8-inch serrated blade to stab Officer Neville said something similar to “you have killed people in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and we are all going to die” as he was being arrested.
Flint Airport Director of Public Safety Christopher Miller said Mr. Neville is in “satisfactory condition” and is now “doing fine.” He added that Mr. Neville “fought him till the end,” meaning until other officer’s were able to handcuff the suspect.
