Family IDs Assailant in Minnesota Mall Attack
Father says it was 22-year-old Dahir Adan
By Newser Editors, Newser Staff
People stand near the entrance on the north side of Crossroads Center shopping mall in St. Cloud, Minn., Saturday. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
(Newser) – Authorities have not revealed the name of the man who stabbed nine people in a Minnesota mall on Saturday, but his family has identified him as 22-year-old Dahir Adan, reports the Star Tribune. Adan's father said he was a student at a local community college, adding that he had no knowledge of any ties his son might have had with terror groups. Adan was born in Africa but had lived in the US for the last 15 years, said his father, who was informed by police Saturday night that his son had been killed at the mall. The FBI has called the rampage in St. Cloud a "potential act of terrorism," while ISIS has claimed responsibility on behalf of its "soldier."
Authorities and witnesses say a man dressed as a security guard began stabbing people inside the mall, asking at least one victim beforehand if they were Muslim. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 53, and three remained hospitalized as of Sunday afternoon, including one with life-threatening injuries. A part-time officer from nearby Avon identified as Jason Falconer confronted the assailant during the attack and fatally shot him, reports CNN. Falconer, who was off-duty at the time, is now being described as a hero, though he tells the Star-Tribune that "I've been trying to stay away from it all, for the time being." (Read more Minnesota stories.)
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Sep 19, 2016 12:50 PM CDT
Not a hate crime and it "could be" terrorism. Thank God he's dead.
Thank goodness for the off duty cop. A ccw holder would have been handy.
CrotalusHorridus
When, when, when is our government going to take steps to stop these acts of terror? Our immigration policies have to be completely overhauled.