Canadian Amor Ftouhi identified as suspect who stabbed police Lt. Jeff Neville in the neck, while yelling ‘Allahu Akbar’, at Bishop airport, Wednesday
Ftouhi, 50, a naturalized Canadian, is originally from Tunisia. he allegedly, yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ before stabbing Neville in the neck with a 12-inch knife
He was taken into custody within a minute of the terror attack after Neville fought through the pain and blood to wrestle him to the ground until help arrived.
The investigation is being handled by the FBI who said they plan to charge Ftouhi with violence at an international airport, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison
Neville is stable at the hospital in satisfactory condition and is expected to survive his injuries.
A witness told the Flint Journal he was dropping off his daughter at Bishop International Airport when he saw the injured officer.
“The cop was on his hands and knees bleeding from his neck,” Ken Brown told the newspaper. “I said they need to get him a towel.”
Brown said he saw a man detained by police and a knife on the ground at the Flint airport. Sources told NBC News that the attack could be terror-related.
Michigan State Police initially tweeted that the officer was in critical condition. Later officials confirmed Neville was out of surgery and was upgraded to stable condition.
Authorities also said the FBI was leading the investigation and tweeted that the airport had been closed.
Bishop International’s Facebook page posted that travelers inside the airport had been safely evacuated.
Flint PD said a suspect has been taken into custody. The male suspect reportedly is from Quebec and has a Canadian passport.
Police officers gather at a terminal at Bishop International Airport following Wednesday’s attack
Witnesses describe seeing a man led away in handcuffs by police. The terminal was evacuated at approximately 9:40 a.m., according to the Journal.
“All passengers are safe and are being evacuated at this time,” the airport said in a statement on Facebook. “Please check with your airline for potential cancellations or delays.”
At least 20 police vehicles from several agencies responded to the incident, according to the newspaper. The FBI is leading the investigation into the stabbing.
A witness at the scene said the suspect had a husky build and a “blank” look on his face.
Flint officials have stationed police officers around City Hall out of caution following the attack a few miles away.
Lt. Neville is a former member of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department.
Delays as stranded travelers sit outside a terminal at Bishop International Airport following Wednesday’s attack on a police officer by a suspected terrorist
Mayor Karen Weaver said “the situation is under control” but officials sought to take “extra precautions.” The municipal building remains open.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of our law enforcement officers who work to service and protect us each and every day,” the mayor said in a statement, according to Click on Detroit.
The FBI in a statement acknowledged they are aware of reports that the attacker made statements immediately prior to or while attacking the officer, but said it is too early to determine the nature of the alleged statements or whether or not it was an act of terrorism.
Calling the stabbing an isolated incident, the statement emphasized that: “Based on information that we have at this time, we believe this to be an isolated incident,” the FBI said in a statement.
The FBI is leading the investigation, Michigan State Police said. The Flint City Hall began operating under heightened security in an abundance of caution after the incident.
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