Ashland Terror Suspect: Who Is Rezwan Ferdaus?
ASHLAND (CBS) – Rezwan Ferdaus had run into some minor trouble in the past, but neighbors in his quiet Ashland neighborhood are terrified to hear the disturbing accusations he's currently facing.
The 26-year-old was arrested on Wednesday and charged with plotting to crash explosive-laden remote control planes into the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol.
According to neighbors, the home that federal agents raided belongs to Ferdaus' parents. They moved in 14 years ago and Rezwan still lived with them.
WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports
People living on affluent, leafy Coburn Drive, are finding it hard to believe one of their neighbors is now charged in a terror plot.
"I just can't believe it, awful, it's just beyond comprehension," said one woman.
Another woman said, "One of most exciting things in Ashland is to see squirrels cross the street. This is quite different, this is quite different."
According to law enforcement sources, while a student at Ashland High School, Rezwan was said to have routinely turned his back during pledge.
A man who went to high school with Ferdaus, and didn't want to be identified said, "I was completely shocked, couldn't believe it, he always seemed like a nice, quiet kid to me.
He was a very smart kid, very into music, very musically talented."
In Ashland High's class of '03, Ferdaus was voted most musical, but described as shy, not especially popular.
Ferdaus is also the same person who, in 2003, police suspected of climbing to the roof of Ashland High School and burning the American flag, although he was never charged over that incident.
Interestingly, he signed his yearbook entry with a peace symbol, and quoting Ghandi, offering peace and friendship and desire to work together for unity and love.
Rezwan is a U.S. citizen and went to Northeastern University, graduating in 2008 with a degree in Physics.
It's unclear whether he was employed.
