FBI investigating possible ISIS-inspired knife attack in Virginia
ROANOKE, Va. - The FBI is looking into whether a knife attack at an apartment building in southwest Virginia was inspired by ISIS.
Wasil Farooqui, 20, was arrested Saturday and accused of stabbing a man and woman Saturday at an apartment in Roanoke. The victims were seriously injured in the attack.
Farooqui is accused of stabbing a man and woman Saturday at an apartment building in Roanoke. The victims were seriously injured in the attack.
Witnesses told authorities that Farooqui was yelling "Allahu akbar" - the phrase is Arabic for "God is great."
Police believe that Farooqui was trying to behead the male victim. A source familiar with the case told Fox News the FBI is investigating the attack as a possible terrorism-related incident and whether the attack was inspired by the Islamic State terror group.
"The FBI is working with the Police Department following the incident that occurred on Saturday evening. 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," said an FBI spokesperson.
Police said they know of no relationship between the victims and the suspect. After the attack, Farooqui allegedly fled the scene after a scuffle with the male victim.
Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital. Farooqui also went to the emergency room of a local hospital where he was arrested.
The suspect has been charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and is being held without bond at the Western Virginia Regional Jail.