Jordanian shooter who killed 2 Americans was troubled

Police captain Anwar Abu Zaid, who killed five at a training center this week, had no ties to jihadist groups

By AP 14 November 2015, 9:29 pm

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This undated photograph provided by family shows Jordanian police Cpt. Anwar Abu Zaid. A relative said he was informed by security officials that Abu Zaid was the assailant in a shooting rampage at a police training center on Monday, Nov. 11, 2015 that killed five people, including two American instructors. (Courtesy: Family photograph via AP)

AMMAN, Jordan — Jordanian authorities say a police captain who killed five people, including two Americans, in a shooting rampage earlier this week was a troubled man without ties to extremist groups.

Preventive Security chief Hussein al-Abadi said Saturday that the attacker arrived at an international police training center with a Kalashnikov assault rifle hidden in a bag of clothing.

Al-Abadi says Anwar Abu Zaid opened fire on a vehicle carrying foreigners and then moved to a canteen for foreign instructors and translators where he continued shooting. Al-Abadi says the attacker kept firing during a chase and was eventually killed by a shot to the head.

Monday’s rampage raised questions about Jordan’s image as an island of relative stability in a turbulent region. The kingdom has close security ties with the United States.