The FBI initiated a federal terrorism investigation Monday into a stabbing that happened in Roanoke, Va., over the weekend, ABC News reports, after a man may have tried to behead his two victims.
Federal officials knew of alleged attacker 20-year-old Roanoke resident Wasil Farooqui, sources told ABC. Farooqui reportedly traveled to Turkey this past year and may have attempted to cross into Syria, where ISIS is recruiting jihadists from across the world.
Last Saturday Farooqui was arrested by Roanoke County Police and charged with assault with malicious wounding. He is currently being held without bond, ABC News reports, at Western Virginia Regional Jail.
During the assault, Farooqui allegedly injured a man and woman with a knife at an apartment complex while screaming “Allah Akbar,” sources said. Authorities say the victims appear to have been randomly chosen by the perpetrator.
Both Farooqui and his two alleged victims were rushed to the hospital following the attack. Their conditions have not been released.
“The FBI is working with the Police Department following the incident that occurred on Saturday evening,” the head of the FBI’s Richmond field office, Special Agent In Charge Adam Lee, said in a statement. “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.”