Michigan Airport Evacuated After Police Officer Injured

by Nick Allen, The Telegraph, June 21, 2017

The FBI is investigating a possible act of terrorism after a police officer was stabbed in the neck at an airport in the US state of Michigan.

Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, was evacuated following the incident inside its main terminal.

A US government official told the Associated Press the situation was being investigated as possible terrorism and President Donald Trump had been briefed about it.

The attacker, a Canadian citizen, shouted "Allahu Akbar" before launching the attack, and ranted about Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, authorities said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement the FBI said: "We are aware of reports that the attacker made statements immediately prior to or while attacking the officer, but it is too early to determine the nature of these alleged statements or whether or not this was an act of terrorism."

Police said a "person of interest" had been taken into into custody and they believed the attack was an isolated incident.

Michigan State Police Lieutenant Mike Shaw said "everything is on the table" in terms of motive for the attack.

Genesee County Commissioner Mark Young told NBC News said he had spoken with the officer's family.

He said: "I’d say we are feeling relieved that he’s in stable condition. This is something that police officers face across the country, this is the sword of Damocles that sits over every officer when they go out every day."

 

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