Minnesota man held in Mall stabbings

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Power Line

Scott Johnson

Nov. 14 2017

 

On Sunday night near closing time two customers were hurt in knife stabbings at the Mall of America’s Macy’s in Bloomington, Minnesota. The stabbings were described by Bloomington police as deriving from an interrupted theft. The stabbings took place in the vicinity of a fitting room as the thief sought to take off with the goods. The thief pulled a knife and stabbed the customers as he attempted to leave with the goods he had lifted from the changing room. That’s where the Star Tribune left its troubling story as of late Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Bad stuff goes down at the Mall of America, but I can’t remember another incident quite like this one (as it is described). Interest in it is intense, both locally and nationally. What is happening here?

Bloomington police have identified the suspect as 20-year-old Mahad Abdiaziz Abdirahaman of Minneapolis. He appears to be a “Minnesota man.” He’s being held on two counts of first-degree assault. The police press release describes the stabbings as an interrupted robbery. KSTP’s Brandi Powell posted a copy of Sunday night’s police press release via Twitter (below).

 

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[Valin]

Minnesota man charged in mall stabbings

Scott Johnson

Nov. 15 2017

 

Last night the Star Tribune reported that Minnesota man Mahad A. Abdiraham was charged with first-degree assault in connection with the stabbings at the Mall of America’s Macy’s store on Sunday evening. The charges were filed yesterday afternoon.

Despite the intense local interest in the story, I can’t find it on the Star Tribune’s home page. If it’s there it isn’t featured. Rather, the Star Tribune has been featuring a critical story on James Wood’s mocking tweet about an assemblage of Somali Muslims at the Mall (story here).

The stabbing victims are brothers Alexander Sanchez (19 years old) and John Sanchez (25): “The younger brother suffered injuries to his head that will leave scars, and cuts to his arms that went ‘to the bone,’ according to the charges. His brother needed dozens of stitches, the court filing revealed.”

The Star Tribune article notes that no motive for the stabbings was offered in the complaint, but that “it did suggest Abdiraham has had psychological difficulties. Last year, he was arrested on suspicion of stabbing two staff members with a pen at an inpatient psychiatric unit.” That case apparently went nowhere.

 

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[Valin]

Minnesota man explains mall stabbingsScott Johnson

1/28/18

We noted the case of “Minnesota man” Mahad Abdiaziz Abdiraham (or Abdirahman) this past November 14 and November 15. Abdiraham was charged with first-degree assault in connection with the stabbings of two customers at the Macy’s Mall of America’s Macy store on Sunday evening, November 12. The second of the two linked posts quotes the charges.

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This past Thursday Abdiraham pleaded guilty to the assault charges. The Star Tribune story by Paul Walsh continues to suggest that the motive for the assaults was psychological.

At the plea hearing, however, Abdiraham issued a statement clarifying the motive for his assaults. Abdiraham explained that he was waging jihad in support of ISIS. KSTP-TV Eyewitness News reported:

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Prepare Yourself For A "Shocking" Revelation....

Minnesota man sentenced in mall stabbings

Scott Johnson

2/20/2018

We noted the case of “Minnesota man” Mahad Abdiaziz Abdiraham (or Abdirahman) this past November 14 and November 15. Abdiraham was charged with first-degree assault in connection with the stabbings of two customers at the Macy’s Mall of America’s Macy store on Sunday evening, November 12. The second of the two linked posts quotes the charges.

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Eyewitness News reporter Beth McDonough didn’t leave it at that. She also sought comment from interested parties. Twin Cities Somali community spokesman Omar Jamal suggested that Abdirahman is not simply the basket case presented by the Star Tribune. “This is a widespread sentiment with Somali youth,” he said. Jamal said the federal government’s effort to make it difficult for would-be jihadists to travel abroad and join a terrorist group has had unintended consequences locally.

Translation: they are talking about waging jihad here in Minnesota. Lest there be any doubt of his meaning, Jamal explained: “What is very concerning in this instance, is the fact that youth are exploring more ‘How can I do something here, what weapons are accessible.'”

If you didn’t know about it, however, you wouldn’t have found Abdiraham’s statement “concerning.” Readers of the Star Tribune could persist undisturbed in their blissful ignorance.

Last week Abdiraham was sentenced to 15 years for the stabbings. With good behavior in prison he could be out in 8 years......(Snip)