FBI Terrorism Task Force Now Heading Mall Stabbing Investigation
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The FBI announced Tuesday that federal terrorism investigators are taking over the investigation in to the Saturday stabbings at a St. Cloud mall.
Special Agent-in-Charge Richard T. Thornton said the investigation will be directed by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The St. Cloud Police Department will assist in the investigation.
Over the weekend, federal officials said the stabbings – which injured 10 people at the Crossroads Center mall – were being looked at as a possible act of terror. None of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, 22-year-old Dahir Adan, was shot dead by an off-duty police officer who was shopping before the stabbing rampage.
Adan, a Somali Minnesotan, allegedly spoke about Allah during the attack and asked at least one victim if they were Muslim.
Following the attack, an ISIS-related media outlet called Adan a "soldier of the Islamic State." It's not clear, however, if the terrorist group planned the attack or even knew of it beforehand.
So far, local investigators say they've found no link between ISIS and Adan.