The man who launched a terrorizing attack on the Ohio State University campus on Monday morning has been identified as 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan, accodring to NBC News.
Ohio State University attacker ID'd as 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan, law enforcement officials tell NBC News https://t.co/TZKptubzAz pic.twitter.com/NWtC6cgfbZ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 28, 2016
While initial reports from OSU officials claimed Ali Artan was armed with a gun, it has since been revealed that he carried out the attack using his vehicle and a butcher knife. Students present for the incident say the former Somali refugee, who reportedly left his homeland in 2007 and later became a legal U.S. resident in 2014,”slashed” several students with a butcher knife after plowing into others with his car during hte attack.
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Ali Artan injured 9 people in total, before being fatally shot by a university police officer, according to officials.
The University released a statement in light of the incident after confirming that the campus was secure, with classes cancelled for the remainder of the day.
“Ohio State University Police and local law enforcement continue to respond to a public safety incident on Ohio State’s campus,” the statement on their website reads. “A suspect has been shot and reported deceased. Victim injuries include stab wounds, injury by motor vehicle and other injuries that are being evaluated. At the recommendation of law enforcement, campus alerts for shelter in place have been lifted. Campus remains open during the continued investigation, although classes have been canceled for the remainder of the day. Facts are still being verified. We will hold a media briefing as soon as we are able. The university will continue to share information through Buckeye Alert and emergency.osu.edu. Our top priority remains the safety and security of our campus community. Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and their families.”
A White House spokesperson confirmed that President Obama has been briefed on the attack, while the FBI is reportedly assisting with the ongoing investigation.