Update 1:  ISIS has claimed credit for the stabbings in Minnesota calling the attacker a “soldier of the Islamic State.”

ISIS has just claimed credit for the stabbing of 8 people at a Minnesota mall. Silence regarding NY explosions: pic.twitter.com/brGRbtEu5P

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) September 18, 2016

* * *

Approximately 1 hour after an IED explosion rocked New York City, a knife-wielding man, dressed in a private security uniform, went on a stabbing rampage at the Crossroads Center Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  8 people were injured in the stabbings and all but 1 have been treated for their injuries and subsequently released from a local hospital.

The attacker’s name has not yet been released by St. Cloud police though the St. Cloud Times reported that the attacker asked at least one victim whether they were Muslim and referenced Allah during the assault.  That said, Police Chief William Blair Anderson declined to call the attacks an act of terrorism.  

?????????? Attacker shouted “Allah” – 8 injured in knife attack in #Minnesota (CrossroadsCenter). https://t.co/XiPcgssY38 pic.twitter.com/YSENpme1Kf

— Onlinemagazin (@OnlineMagazin) September 18, 2016

The attacker was killed by an off-duty police officer from another jurisdiction though his identity has not been revealed.  According to the St. Cloud Times, local police had three previous encounters with the suspect, most for minor traffic violations.

Police: Multiple people stabbed at Crossroads Mall in St Cloud, Minn.; suspect dead – @dschwarzphoto, KSTP pic.twitter.com/D8hu6G1YFs

— G.Alexander(BRKNEWS) (@MajorNews911) September 18, 2016

St. Cloud Police Chief William Blair Anderson said they “have no reason to believe” anyone else was involved in the attacks.  

“We
will be diligent and get to the bottom of this,  Starting tomorrow, things won’t be the same here.”

????Knife-wielding #AllahuAkbar???? #Muslim male assaults unbelievers at mall in #Minnesota, US????????. https://t.co/K2qtqucKme pic.twitter.com/F62l981PYz

— ??????????? (@JPY_Kurdish) September 18, 2016

The mall remained on lock down for a long period following the incident, but authorities subsequently released those remaining inside early this morning.