The FBI held an unusual press conference today in the case of last month’s terror attack at a shopping mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The attacker, 20-year old Somali refugee Dahir Adan, was shot and killed on the scene by an off-duty police officer after stabbing ten mall workers and shoppers.
The press conference was unusual in that the investigation into the matter is still ongoing, but the FBI and local law enforcement felt the need to release graphic video of the attacks in order to shoot down various conspiracy theories circulating in the Minnesota Somali community and perpetuated by Black Lives Matter groups.
The county prosecutor in St. Cloud says an off-duty police officer was justified in fatally shooting Dahir Adan, the mall stabbing suspect.
— Mitch Smith (@MitchKSmith) October 6, 2016
Stearns Co. Atty: Jason Faulkner told Dahir Adan to drop his knives several times, followed him through Macy’s, shooting when Adan charged
— Courtney Godfrey (@courtneygodfrey) October 6, 2016
One of the early conspiracy theories floated by Adan’s family was the claim that he was an innocent bystander who was in the mall to pick up his new iPhone at the mall:
Family of St Cloud stabber tells community leader Dahir Adan was headed to Mall Sat to pick up a preordered iPhone 7 @wcco 5 and 6 pm
— esme murphy – WCCO (@esmemurphy) September 19, 2016
Those false rumors led some in the Somali community to use the incident to circulate claims that the shooting of Adan was unjustified:
Members of the Somali Community marching on 33rd Ave demanding the tapes of Dahir Adan be released. pic.twitter.com/wrXKN99BS2
— Rebecca David (@Rebecca_David94) September 26, 2016
Others claimed that Adan was mentally ill, which the family denied:
The family of Dahir Adan,22, have declined any rumors of mental illness. His uncle confidently said the rumor is a “lie.”
— Faiza Mahamud (@faiza_mahamud) September 19, 2016
Just last week FBI Director James Comey testified that Adan appeared to be inspired by “extremist ideology”:
FBI Director James Comey says that Dahir Adan appears to have been inspired by extremist ideology. | https://t.co/0336Rbhyiw pic.twitter.com/0dsJ4XHZY3
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) September 28, 2016
The FBI released further details on his possible motivation during their press conference today.
CBS News reports:
The stabbings at a central Minnesota mall last month that wounded 10 likely was premeditated by the attacker, who may have become radicalized recently, federal authorities said Thursday.
Dahir Ahmed Adan became interested in Islam in the last several months, withdrew from his friends and encouraged his sisters to be more religious, FBI Special Agent Rick Thornton said at a news conference.
Witnesses told investigators that 20-year-old Adan yelled “Islam, Islam” and “Allahu akbar,” as well as asking several people whether they were Muslim before stabbing them during the Sept. 17 attack, which started outside Crossroads Center mall before moving inside.
“We were told Adan had not previously shown an interest in religion. Adan also encouraged some female relatives to become more religiously observant,” Thornton said, adding that investigators continue to analyze Adan’s digital footprint, including his social media and online activity, and are trying to obtain permission to unlock his smartphone.
FBI Director James Comey said last week it appeared Adan was at least partly inspired by extremist ideology. Thornton also said that Adan went from being a high academic performer to failing out of college “almost overnight” after taking an increased interest in Islam.
During the press conference they showed video of some of the stabbings and the confrontation with the off-duty officer who shot him:
The knives used by Dahir Adan used during St. Cloud mall stabbings, where 10 victims were stabbed. pic.twitter.com/aVKsn28s5r
— KNSI Radio (@KNSI) October 6, 2016
Adan was armed with two knives, asked some of his victims if they were Muslim.
— Jennifer Brooks (@stribrooks) October 6, 2016
Video of Adan attacking a clerk in Unique Electronics, after asking if he was Muslim. pic.twitter.com/kQIxTrUR76
— Jennifer Brooks (@stribrooks) October 6, 2016
ISIS immediately claimed credit for the attack and has featured Adan in recent pro-ISIS media:
English-language version of Amaq’s (#IS) claim: Islamic State “soldier” was responsible for Minnesota stabbings. pic.twitter.com/8W4UpWktq2
— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) September 18, 2016
Also, new ISIS magazine mentions/claims (again) Minn. mall stabber Dahir Adan, but not NY/NJ bomber Ahmad Rahami https://t.co/oci65AmjTw
— Bridget Johnson (@Bridget_PJM) October 5, 2016
Poster distributed by pro-#ISIS media group celebrates attacks claimed by #ISIS in the #US: #Orlando, #SanBernardino and #Minnesotapic.twitter.com/Rh7UFeKCaD
— Jihad Threat Monitor (@memrijttm) October 6, 2016
Up until recently, he appeared to be a model citizen and student:
One community leader described Dahir Adan as “the most assimilated kid in the neighborhood.” https://t.co/vvSbyIicdJ
— CEP (@FightExtremism) September 27, 2016
But the FBI emphasized during the press conference today his shift towards stricter Islamic adherence:
FBI: in mnths bfore the stabbing Adan showed new “interest” in religion, w/drew from friends, went frm being excellent student 2 failing 2/3
— Abigail Hauslohner (@ahauslohner) October 6, 2016
In recent months, Adan became interested in religion, lost interest in things he used to enjoy, flunked out of school.
— Jennifer Brooks (@stribrooks) October 6, 2016
As I noted here at PJ Media, some of the Minnesota press, namely the far-Left Minneapolis Star Tribune, had initially characterized the incident as anti-Muslim, even after Adan had been identified as the suspect. A litany of media reports claiming an atmosphere of Islamophobia in St. Cloud ensued.
But now it seems clear that the official narrative is drifting towards one of an isolated individual radicalized online with no connection to the rest of the Somali community in St. Cloud or Minnesota. This despite the state having the highest number of ISIS-related arrests in recent years.
We’ll provide more details in the case of this domestic terror attack as we have them.
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