FBI: Stabbing Of Police Officer At Flint, Michigan Airport Investigated As Terrorist Act

FLINT, Mich. (CBSNewYork) - The FBI says they are investigating the stabbing of a police officer at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan as an act of terrorism.

Lt. Jeff Neville of the Bishop International Airport police was attacked by Amor Ftouhi, a Canadian citizen, officials said.

Ftouhi, 50, was arrested at the scene. He was wielding a 12 inch knife with a serrated blade, authorities said.

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Ftouhi faces preliminary charges of committing an act of violence at an airport, authorities said, though they stressed that they were in "zero hour" of the investigation and are looking into the matter as an act of terror.

"I want to let you know that this is an FBI led scene at the moment, and that we are working together with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to insure the safety of all," FBI spokesman Tim Wiley said.

Officials said Ftouhi emerged from an airport bathroom wielding the knife and shouted "Allahu akbar" - "God is great" in Arabic - as he attacked Neville.

Ftouhi never went past the screening area of the airport, officials said. He spent some time at a restaurant in the public area before going to the restroom, coming out with the knife and launching his attack, authorities said.

"Lt. Neville never stopped fighting... never stopped fighting" until Ftouhi was subdued by fellow officers, one official said.

"It's a sad day, but it could have been worse," an FBI official said during an afternoon press conference.

Ftouhi entered the country from Canada at Lake Champlain on June 16, officials said.

Officials said it appeared Ftouhi may be a "lone wolf."

"Preliminary indications are that we had no visibility on this individual," an FBI official said after being asked if Ftouhi had been on law enforcement's radar.

"Please keep the attacked officer in your thoughts & prayers," Tweeted Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

"Based on the information we have at this time, we believe this to be an isolated incident," the FBI said in a a statement.

The airport was evacuated after the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the FBI's Detroit Field Office at 313-965-2323. You can also submit a tip via the FBI's tip website.