Bishop International Airport attack

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Bishop International Airport attack
Bishop International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower in 2012
LocationBishop International Airport
3425 W. Bristol Rd.
Flint, Michigan 48507
DateJune 21, 2017
9:45 am (Eastern)
Attack type
Stabbing, terrorism
WeaponsKnife
Deaths0
Injured2
VictimsAirport Police Lieutenant Jeff Neville
Airport Maintenance Worker Richard Krul
PerpetratorAmor Ftouhi
MotiveSee motives
VerdictLife in prison[1]
ConvictionsViolence at an international airport
Interfering with airport security
Committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries

On June 21, 2017, Airport Police Lieutenant Jeff Neville was stabbed in the neck at Bishop International Airport in the city of Flint, Michigan, in the United States. The assailant, Amor Ftouhi, yelled, "Allahu akbar" during the attack. Ftouhi was travelling on a Canadian passport.[2] Numerous law enforcement agencies responded and the airport was evacuated. Bomb sniffing dogs searched the evacuated airport for evidence of a larger-scale attack, but found nothing. Ftouhi was charged with committing violence at an international airport and interfering with airport security.[3] He was later charged with committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.[4] He was found guilty of all three charges in November 2018,[5] and was sentenced to life in federal prison in April 2019.[1]

Perpetrator[edit]

Amor M. Ftouhi, a truck driver born in Tunisia who lived in Montreal, Quebec, Canada,[6] perpetrated the attack.[7] Ftouhi entered the U.S. at the Champlain, New York port of entry five days before the attack. He is a dual citizen of Tunisia and Canada.[8][9][10] Friends and associates described Ftouhi as "a quiet guy" and "a nice person" who was "socially positive".[11]

Investigation[edit]

Ftouhi cooperated with investigators.[12][13] The weapon was described as a 12-inch knife that had an 8-inch serrated blade labelled as an "Amazon Survival Jungle".[12][14] The FBI later told reporters Ftouhi twice tried and failed to buy a gun in Michigan, once on June 18, and then on the day of the attack.[12]

Canadian law enforcement agencies also raided his apartment in Montreal and questioned three people there.[11]

Trial[edit]

On July 5, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Ftouhi for interference with airport security.[3]

On March 21, 2018, Ftouhi was charged with committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.[4]

Ftouhi's attorney had originally planned to present a mental-capacity defense, but before trial withdrew plans to offer this defense.[15] Before trial, Ftouhi's lawyer filed a motion to change the trial location from Flint to Detroit due to their concern that pre-trial publicity would bias the potential jurors; the motion was denied.[16]

Jury selection was completed on November 6, 2018 and opening statements began the next day.[17][18]

Ftouhi was found guilty of all charges on November 13, 2018, following a five-day jury trial.[7][5][19] He was sentenced to life in prison on April 18, 2019.[1] Ftouhi is currently serving his sentence at ADX Florence, the federal supermax in Florence, Colorado.

Motives[edit]

The FBI Agent in charge told reporters Ftouhi said something to the effect of, "You have killed people in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and we're all going to die." Ftouhi reportedly asked police why they didn't kill him.[9] Court documents obtained by the media in 2017 say Ftouhi told investigators he had planned to kill a police officer and then take the officer's gun to kill more officers. The documents revealed Ftouhi subscribed to the ideology of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and that he celebrated the attacks of September 11, 2001. He said that he considers the U.S. an enemy of Allah and that others like him would be coming to harm the country.[20][21]

At trial however, federal prosecutors alleged Ftouhi plotted the attack because of financial difficulties and wanted to kill a police officer and then be killed to get into heaven. Investigators found a handwritten will and testament in a safe in an apartment closet in Montreal that said Ftouhi loved his wife and children, but he was struggling finding a job and was feeling shame, humiliation and remorse that he had a large amount of debt.[22]

Victims[edit]

Bishop International Airport Authority Police Lieutenant Jeff Neville (also a retired Genesee County Sheriff's deputy) was stabbed in the neck.[9] After undergoing surgery, his condition was upgraded from critical to stable.[11] On June 26, 2017 he was discharged from the hospital.[23]

Airport maintenance worker Richard Krul was cut on the hand while attempting to subdue Ftouhi.[24]

Responses[edit]

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a statement about the incident: "I want to assure all our law enforcement across the nation, any attack on someone who serves and protects our citizens will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am proud of the swift response from the F.B.I. and our federal prosecutors and their partnership with local police and the Canadian authorities. Our prayers are with the officer and his family for a full recovery."[25][11]

Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale called the incident a "heinous and cowardly attack".[11]

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder reacted with a series of tweets: "Even with this attack, we must continue to balance our need for increased security with understanding and tolerance".[26] "I want to thank all law enforcement officers and first responders who assisted at the scene today."[27] "I am heartened to hear that Lieutenant Jeff Neville is expected to make a full recovery."[28]

Lieutenant Neville was honored at the Fenton Fourth of July Parade where he spoke about the incident publicly for the first time, telling reporters, "That guy was up against more than what he thought he was up against, you know. Really. He picked the wrong airport."[29]

The Flint Islamic Center gave Lieutenant Neville a check for $10,000 after a prayer service at the airport, while saying about Ftouhi, "He is against our Islam, against our principal, against all values that we hold."[30]

Lieutenant Neville was also honored by the American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers of New York and New Jersey.[31]

Airport maintenance worker Richard Krul, who helped restrain Ftouhi and was cut on the hand, was also given awards for his actions.[24][32]

On March 12, 2018, the Genesee County Board of Commissioners honored Chief Christopher Miller, Lieutenant Dan Owen, Officer Chris Curnow, airport employee Richard Krul and Joe Garza for their efforts after the attack.[33]

On March 24, 2018, airport firefighters Lieutenant Daniel Owen, Michael Chilson, and Christopher Tolan were named firefighters of the year by the Genesee County Association of Fire Chiefs for their lifesaving efforts after the attack.[34]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Flint airport stabber sentenced to life in prison, says he doesn’t regret actions The Flint Journal via MLive.com, April 18, 2019
  2. ^ "Canadian suspect charged as FBI investigate terrorism in Michigan airport attack". Global News/Associated Press.
  3. ^ a b Goodin-Smith, Oona (July 5, 2017). "New Charges Against Flint Bishop Airport Stabbing Suspect May Mean Life in Prison". The Flint Journal.
  4. ^ a b Acosta, Roberto (March 21, 2018). "Flint Airport Stabbing Suspect Facing New Terrorism Charge". The Flint Journal.
  5. ^ a b Jury convicts Canadian man on terrorism, all charges in stabbing of airport cop The Flint Journal via MLive.com, November 13, 2018
  6. ^ Anderson, Elisha (June 22, 2023). "Accused Flint stabber was truck driver, married father of 3". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Snell, Robert (November 13, 2018). "Flint airport stabber convicted in terrorism case". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Coffman, Keith (March 22, 2018). "Canadian man faces extra charge in Michigan airport stabbing". Reuters. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Stabbing at Bishop Airport Being Investigated as Act of Terrorism, One Person in Custody". Flint, MI: WJRT-TV. June 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  10. ^ Woods, Allan (June 21, 2017). "Canadian man charged after possible terror attack at Michigan airport, FBI says". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Friends, Neighbours Describe Montreal Man Accused of Flint Stabbing as Gentle, Quiet". CTV Montreal. June 21, 2017.
  12. ^ a b c Goodin-Smith, Oona (June 22, 2017). "Flint Airport Stabbing Suspect Tried to Buy Gun in Michigan Before Attack". The Flint Journal.
  13. ^ Goodin-Smith, Oona (June 21, 2017). "What We Know About Amor Ftouhi, Flint Bishop Airport Stabbing Suspect". The Flint Journal.
  14. ^ Karoub, Jeff; Householder, Mike (June 21, 2017). "Canadian C in US Airport Attack Investigated as Terror". Fox News.
  15. ^ Attorney withdraws plans for mental health defense of accused Bishop Airport stabber The Flint Journal via MLive.com, October 2, 2018
  16. ^ Judge denies change of venue for accused airport stabber The Flint Journal via MLive.com, September 6, 2018
  17. ^ Jury selection complete, trial starts today in Bishop airport stabbing WJRT-TV (ABC 12), November 7, 2018
  18. ^ Accused Flint airport stabber 'on a mission to murder,' U.S. attorney says The Flint Journal via MLive.com, November 7, 2018
  19. ^ Montreal man convicted of terrorism in Michigan airport stabbing NBC News, November 13, 2018
  20. ^ Bondy, Dave (August 7, 2017). "Flint Airport Stabbing Suspect Told Investigators He Wanted to Kill More Officers". Saginaw, MI: WEYI-TV.
  21. ^ Williams, Corey (August 9, 2017). "Prosecutors: Flint Airport Stabber Amor Ftouhi Celebrated 9/11 Attacks". Toronto Sun. Associated Press. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  22. ^ Alleged Flint airport stabber's will said he loved Jihad more than wife The Flint Journal via MLive.com November 8, 2018
  23. ^ Fonger, Ron (June 26, 2017). "Cop Attacked with Knife at Flint Bishop Airport Discharged from Hospital". The Flint Journal.
  24. ^ a b Acosta, Roberto (August 2, 2017). "Maintenance Worker Honored for Actions During Flint Airport Stabbing". The Flint Journal.
  25. ^ Hartmann, Margaret (June 21, 2017). "Flint, Michigan Airport Stabbing Investigated as Act of Terrorism". New York.
  26. ^ Snyder, Rick [@onetoughnerd] (June 21, 2017). "Even with this attack, we must continue to balance our need for increased security with understanding and tolerance" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Snyder, Rick [@onetoughnerd] (June 21, 2017). "I want to thank all law enforcement officers and first responders who assisted at the scene today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Snyder, Rick [@onetoughnerd] (June 21, 2017). "I am heartened to hear that Lt. Jeff Neville is expected to make a full recovery" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Ramey, Elisse (July 4, 2017). "Lt. Jeff Neville: Airport Attacker 'Picked the Wrong Airport'". Flint, MI: WJRT-TV.
  30. ^ Hybels, Amy (July 7, 2017). "Flint Islamic Center Presents Lt. Jeff Neville with Check for $10,000 Following Friday Prayers". Flint, MI: WJRT-TV. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  31. ^ ABC12 News Team (July 6, 2017). "American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers of New York and New Jersey Honor Lt. Jeff Neville". Flint, MI: WJRT-TV.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ ABC12 News Team (October 24, 2017). "Airport Employee Honored for His Heroism After Lt. Neville Attack". Flint, MI: WJRT-TV.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ NBC25/FOX66 Newsroom (March 12, 2018). "Genesee County Board Honors Heroes of Bishop Airport Attack". Saginaw, MI: WEYI-TV.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Acosta, Roberto (March 28, 2018). "3 firefighters awarded for life-saving efforts in Bishop Airport stabbing". The Flint Journal. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
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