FBI Investigates Possible ISIS-Inspired Knife Attack In Roanoke, Virginia

Originally from http://www.inquisitr.com/3453200/fbi-investigates-possible-isis-inspired-knife-attack-in-roanoke-virginia/

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating a stabbing that happened this weekend in Roanoke, Virginia, in which the suspect, Wasil Farooqui, shouted “Allahu akbar” while attacking his two victims.

The suspect in the attack is identified as Wasil Farooqui, 20 of Roanoke County.https://t.co/YgeVLOMIMJ pic.twitter.com/ICBmSJjJoU

— ABC13News (@ABC13News) August 22, 2016

According to ABC News, federal authorities have been keeping tabs on 20-year-old Farooqui for quite some time. Within the past year, Farooqui traveled to Turkey, where authorities believe he may have tried to sneak into Syria, where ISIS is inspiring and recruiting sympathizers from around the world.

Farooqui was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 20, by Roanoke County Police on charges of assault with malicious wounding. He is being held without bond at the Western Virginia Regional Jail.

Sources told ABC News Farooqui was found yelling “Allahhu akbar,” which is Arabic for “God is great,” while stabbing a man and a woman with a knife at The Pines Apartments in Roanoke.

Officials believe that he may have been trying to behead the male victim, who was likely chosen at random. On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Roanoke County Police confirmed that while the victim was cut “all over his body, including his neck,” police do not believe the case looks like a beheading attempt.

The spokeswoman declined to comment when asked whether or not Farooqui may be suffering from mental illness.

The victims were hospitalized after the attack, however their conditions have yet to be disclosed.

“The FBI is working with the police department following the incident that occurred on Saturday evening,” Adam Lee, the head of the FBI’s Richmond field office and the special agent in charge, said in a statement. “While I cannot discuss details of the investigation at this time, I do want to reassure the community that we are working to determine the nature of the incident.”

Earlier this month, Erick Jamal Hendricks of Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested after allegedly contacting several people via social media in an effort to recruit, train, and launch an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack inside the U.S.

Erick Jamal Hendricks, 35, was arrested Thursday morning in Charlotte, North Carolina, on a charge filed in… https://t.co/FxxOjfECpO

— WBTW News 13 (@WBTWNews13) August 5, 2016

According to the Justice Department, Hendricks contacted one of the attackers in Garland, Texas, last year, and an ISIS sympathizer in Ohio who attempted to purchase an AK-47 from an undercover law enforcement officer.

Hendricks claimed that he wanted to create a sleeper cell in the U.S., mentioning military members as potential targets.

“It’s hard to sift through brothers, but every day I do this, day in and day out,” Hendricks unknowingly told an undercover agent online.

According to charging documents filed in the case, Hendricks contacted the Ohio man online, claiming that he “needed people” and wanted to “get brothers to train together.” During this time, Hendricks allegedly tested the man’s religious knowledge and his willingness to commit “jihad.”

Hendricks was also caught conversing with Elton Simpson, one of the two men who conducted the failed May 2015 attack on the “Draw Prophet Muhammad contest” in Garland, Texas. Two weeks prior to the attack, Hendricks allegedly told Simpson that if he sees the woman who organized the event to, “Make your ‘voice’ heard against her.”

According to prosecutors, Hendricks asked an undercover agent about the event, wondering, “How big is the gathering?”, “Do you see feds there?” and “Do you see snipers?”

Hendricks has since been charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, reports ABC News.

“This case serves as yet another stark reminder that we have supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant that reside in the United States, like Mr. Hendricks, that are willing to inspire others to commit violent acts against innocent citizens,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen Anthony.

“We must all – law enforcement and community members alike – do our part to identify and hold accountable those that support known terrorist organizations. The FBI and our many partners will continue to be vigilant and disrupt those who wish to commit terrorism on our soil.”

[Western Virginia Regional Jail via AP]

FBI Investigates Possible ISIS-Inspired Knife Attack In Roanoke, Virginia is an article from: The Inquisitr News