A man in Roanoke County, Virginia, allegedly yelled “Allah Akbar” while stabbing two people Saturday night, leaving both victims “severely” injured and prompting an FBI investigation.
Police believe Wasil Farooqui, 20, carried out the attack at an apartment complex around 8 p.m. A male and female were entering a building when they were “attacked with a knife and severely injured,” Roanoke County police said in a statement to BuzzFeed News.
“The male was able to fight off the attacker who fled the scene,” the statement added. Both victims were later taken to an area hospital.
After a search of the area, police arrested Farooqui, who lives in Roanoke County.
Witnesses later told investigators Farooqui yelled “Allah Akbar” during the attack, according to police.
That detail prompted police to notify the FBI, which is now investigating as well. Adam Lee, special agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, confirmed that the agency was investigating but did not provide additional details.
“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,” Lee said in a statement.