Islamic State claims responsibility for Minnesota stabbing spree

18 September 2016, 5:48 pm

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The Islamic State is claiming responsibility for a stabbing attack in a Minnesota mall late last night in which eight people were injured.

The attacker, who was shot and killed and whose identity has not been released by US officials, reportedly referenced Allah and asked at least one person if he was Muslim while carrying out the attack at a shopping center in St. Cloud a city of about 65,000 people 60 miles (95 kilometers) northwest of Minneapolis.

In a message sent out by its Amaq news agency, IS calls the attacker “one of our soldiers.” It says the attacker was responding to a call to “target subjects of the crusader alliance.” The message closely matches other claims of responsibility sent out by Amaq following other attacks, particularly in Europe.

People stand near the entrance on the north side of Crossroads Center mall between Macy's and Target as officials investigate a reported multiple stabbing incident, Saturday, September 17, 2016, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP) — People stand near the entrance on the north side of Crossroads Center mall between Macy’s and Target as officials investigate a reported multiple stabbing incident, Saturday, September 17, 2016, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)

The attacker, wearing a security uniform and armed with a knife, stabbed people in several locations in the mall, including corridors, businesses and common areas, the chief said. He said an off-duty police officer from another jurisdiction shot and killed the suspect, though he didn’t say where that officer serves.

All eight victims were treated at a hospital for non-life threatening wounds, and all but one was later released, St. Cloud police Chief Blair Anderson said at a news conference. The eighth was admitted, but no other details about that person’s condition were released.

— with AP