Canadian named as suspect in Michigan airport knife attack

The FBI has identifiedCanadian AmorFtouhias the suspected attacker in the stabbing of apolice officer at Bishop International Airport in Flint,Mich., Wednesday.

U.S. and Canadian authorities have launched a joint terrorism investigation into the stabbing.

Ftouhi, who is around 50years old and a resident of Montreal, entered New York state from Quebec on June 16 before making his way to Michigan. Flint is about 80 km northwest of Detroit.

Moments before the FBI publicly namedFtouhias the suspect,Montreal police raided an apartment in that city's east end.

"It's suffice to say he has a hatred for the United States and a variety of other things, which in part motivated him to come to the airport today to conduct this act of violence," said David Gelios, special agent in charge of FBI's Detroit division.

Ftouhiwalked into the airport around 9 a.m. ET with a 30-centimetre knife in one of his two bags but did not try to pass through security, according to the FBI.

About 40 minutes later, Ftouhiwent into a restroom and walked out without either of his bags. He then went up to an officer in uniform, yelled "Allahu Akbar" (God is great)and pulled out the knife and attacked the officer, according to an account provided by another officer who witnessed the attack and contained in a criminal complaint filed by the FBI in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

• More on the suspect AmorFtouhi and the investigation in Montreal
• COURT DOCUMENT |Read the full FBI complaint against Amor Ftouhi

Ftouhialso yelled something like, "You have killed people in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and weare all going to die," the court documentsaid.

Officer recovering

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw identified the officer who was stabbed as Lt. Jeff Neville with the airport police. Shaw saidNeville fought his attacker "to the end," managing to stop the stabbing and bringFtouhito the ground as otherofficers arrived to help.

• Florida airport attack prompts questions about security

Ken Brown told the Flint Journal newspaper he was dropping off his daughter at the airport and saw the officer bleeding from his neck. He said he saw a man detained by police and a knife on the ground.

"The cop was on his hands and knees bleeding from his neck," Brown said.

FBI investigating Michigan airport knife attack as an act of terrorism

7 years ago

Duration 1:28

Authorities identify Canadian resident Amor Ftouhi as the suspected attacker

Neville's condition has been upgraded from critical to stable condition.

Genesee County Commissioner Mark Young saidhe spoke with Neville's family at thehospital. Young said Neville has servedin various capacities with the sheriff'soffice, including in the jail, on road patrol and as a court officer.

The Flint Islamic Center said it would host an interfaith prayer service for Neville on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.

"We as the people of Flint must remain united against such senseless acts of violence against anyone, and in particular against any law enforcement officer,"Mohammed Saleem, president of the management committee of the centre, said in a statement.

Canada's minister of public safety, Ralph Goodale,confirmed Ftouhi is a Canadian citizen. Goodaleissued a statement, saying "the officer and his family and colleagues are foremost in our thoughts and prayers."

Earlier in the day, the minister saidCanada condemns the "heinous and cowardly attack" and that theRCMPare co-operating with the FBI, which isleading the investigation.

As part of the Canadian investigation, police in Montreal descended on that city's St-Michel neighbourhood targeting an apartment on Blair Street that they suspect is connected to Ftouhi.

MohcinAsrii, who lives in the building,told CBC that Ftouhiwas a quiet family man who had three children and was always kind.

Ftouhihad been working as a driver through a job placement agency.

His Facebook page says he is originally from Tunis, Tunisia. It's not clear when he moved to Montreal.

Ftouhilater appeared in federal court Wednesday. He will get a court-appointed attorney and will remain in custody until a bond hearing next week, according to court spokesman David Ashenfelter.