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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

FBI investigates Virginia attack; suspect shouted ‘Allahu akbar’

This undated booking photo released by the Western Virginia Regional Jail shows Wasil Farooqui. (Western Virginia Regional Jail / Associated Press)
Associated Press

ROANOKE, Va. – The FBI is investigating a stabbing in Virginia in which the suspect shouted “Allahu akbar” while attacking a man and woman.

Police say Wasil Farooqui of Roanoke County severely injured a man and woman when he attacked them with a knife as the two entered an apartment building Saturday evening in Roanoke County. According to witnesses, Farooqui was yelling “Allahu akbar,” Roanoke County police said in a statement. The phrase is Arabic for “God is great.”

The male victim was able to fight off Farooqui, who fled the scene, police said. Farooqui later arrived at the hospital to seek care for his own injuries and was arrested, police said.

Adam Lee, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, said federal officials are investigating alongside police.

“While I cannot discuss the 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.

Police say they believe the attack was random and that Farooqui had no connection to the victims. They have not released the names of the victims.

Farooqui, 20, is charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and is being held without bond at the Western Virginia Regional Jail. Online court records did not list an attorney.