The Latest: Suspect in stabbing says he was hearing voices

The Latest: Suspect in stabbing says he was hearing voices


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ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — The Latest on the stabbing in Virginia in which the suspect shouted "Allahu akbar" while attacking a man and woman (all times local):

6:45 p.m.

Authorities say the suspect in a Virginia stabbing that's being investigated by the FBI told authorities he was hearing voices telling him to attack someone.

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

A search warrant obtained by WSET-TV (http://bit.ly/2c4iZZQ ) says Farooqui told a detective that he had left his house Saturday "to clear his head" and brought with him a butcher knife from the kitchen.

The search warrant says Farooqui told the detective he was hearing voices "telling him that he was stupid" and to attack someone. Farooqui told the detective he doesn't know the people he attacked or why he attacked them.

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8 a.m.

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.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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