Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan has been evacuated and is shut down after a police officer was stabbed repeatedly in the neck by a man who witnesses say shouted, “Allahu Akbar.” The officer, identified by Michigan State Police as Jeff Neville, is a lieutenant with the airport police. He was initially said to be in critical condition but his condition has now been upgraded to stable. Neville is also a retired Genesee County Sheriff deputy.
The suspect is in custody and is reportedly from Canada and was carrying a Canadian passport, though his name has not yet been released.
One of the witnesses of the aftermath was Ken Brown, who was dropping off his daughter at the airport. Speaking with The Flint Journal, Brown said he saw the officer on his knees bleeding from his neck and the suspect detained by police.
A woman by the name of Cherie Carpenter witnessed police escorting the attacker out of the airport in handcuffs. Describing the way he looked, Carpenter said he looked “blank, just totally blank.”
FLINT,MI *OFFICER STABBING* BISHOP INT'L AIRPORT – OCCURED ON 2ND FLR – SUSPECT IN CUSTODY – OFFICER WAS CONSCIOUS #BreakingNews
— News 96.5 (WDBO) (@news965wdbo) June 21, 2017
Though witnesses say the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar” while stabbing Lt. Neville, the FBI is still searching for a motive.
#BishopAirport Update: The suspect is in custody and is currently being questioned. There is no word on his motive at this time. #Flint
— Brian Dorman (@BDormanTV) June 21, 2017
NBC News: Federal investigators are looking into the stabbing of a police officer at the Flint, MI airport as a possible act of terrorism.
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) June 21, 2017
NBC News: The Canadian born suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" before stabbing the officer multiple law enforcement sources say. W/ @anblanx https://t.co/TYSZIgmFQE
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) June 21, 2017
In addition to the airport being closed and evacuated, police in Flint have been stationed around City Hall though it does remain open.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
