Special Agent in Charge David Gelios says the suspect accused of stabbing a Flint Bishop Airport police officer Wednesday was in MI as early as last Sunday and tried to buy a gun. He told investigators he tried to buy a gun at a trade center in in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, but was denied because he was not a USA citizen, WJBK reported.
Lt. Jeff Neville was stabbed in the neck at Flint's Bishop International Airport Wednesday morning.
According to the criminal complaint, Ftouhi yelled in Arabic "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) before stabbing Neville on Wednesday.
Gelios said the FBI is investigating that, and said he was looking for an global airport and he apparently picked the Bishop worldwide Airport.
Doctors said the airport officer had a hemorrhage on the way to the hospital, where he would later undergo surgery.
The auto he drove to Flint was located in the airport parking lot and searched. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the crime, although additional charges could arise, Gelios said.
"During the attack Wednesday, officials said Ftouhi said something similar to, 'You have killed people in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan and we are all going to die", a court document shows.
Federal authorities investigating Ftouhi believe the man acted alone. A person who answered the phone at the office Thursday said his attorney doesn't have any comment on the case at this point.
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"We now have no specific, credible information that there is a threat to the Flint community", reads and Federal Bureau of Investigation statement on the attack.
The Montrealer also mentioned USA military operations in Syria and Iraq as his motivation for attacking the cop.
The alleged terrorist crossed into the US on June 16 at Lake Champlain, NY, rented a auto and drove to Flint - 11 hours away.
According to authorities, Ftouhi entered Flint's airport at 8:52 a.m. Wednesday, carrying a red duffel bag and a dark satchel bag.
Ftouhi eventually obtained a 12-inch "Amazon Jungle Survival Knife", which he is accused of using to attack the airport officer. Amor Ftouhi, of Montreal, was immediately taken into custody.
Ftouhi has lived in the building with his wife and three children for close to six years, his landlord, Luciano Piazza, told Reuters.
"Time will tell over the next several days whether anyone had any knowledge of this, but at this time we view him as a lone-wolf attacker", Gelios said.
"I wanted to get him into a lock up and get him secured so I could get back to Jeff", Miller said.
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