Ohio State University attack: Suspect killed after nine injured in 'possible terror' attack

The suspect has been named as student Abdul Razak Ali Artan

Justin Carissimo

New York

Monday 28 November 2016 16:11 GMT

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Active shooter at Ohio university

A man armed with a butcher knife was shot and killed after hitting students with his vehicle and stabbing several others at Ohio State University, authorities announced on Monday afternoon. The attack left eight victims with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities have not identified a motive but are not ruling out that the incident was terror-related. The suspect has been identified as 18-year-old student Abdul Razak Ali Artan. He is of Somali descent and a permanent legal resident. Sources told reporters that he left behind a message admitting that he was sick of hate crimes against Muslims across the country.

Just before 10am, the school issued an alert urging anyone near Watts Hall at 19th Avenue and College road to run, hide, or fight. SWAT vans, police cruisers, and emergency vehicles responded to the campus. The emergency lockdown was lifted by 11:30am and police announced that the area was secured at the 60,000 student campus.

Ohio State University shooting

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Ohio State University shooting

Crime scene investigators collect evidence from the pavement as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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Ohio State University shooting

Ohio State students duck under police tape after a shelter-in-place notification was lifted following an attack Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)

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Ohio State University shooting

Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

AP

Ohio State University shooting

Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

AP

Ohio State University shooting

Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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Ohio State University shooting

AP

Ohio State University shooting

Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. / AFP / Paul Vernon (Photo credit should read PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Images)

PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty

Ohio State University shooting

A law enforcement official motions for people to leave the area outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus.

PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty

Ohio State University shooting

Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus.

PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty

Ohio State University shooting

Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus.

PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty

Ohio State University shooting

Members of the Columbus SWAT team work the scene around a parking garage on the campus of The Ohio State University Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. )

AP Photo/Jay LaPrete

Ohio State University shooting

Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ohio State University shooting

SWAT teams and police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ohio State University shooting

Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ohio State University shooting

Students leave buildings surrounding Watts Hall as police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ohio State University shooting

Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus.

PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty

“Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College,” the university alert system tweeted on Monday.

Witnesses reported that the assailant’s vehicle jumped the curb outside Watts Hall and intentionally ran into a group of students. Other witnesses said that a fire alarm was pulled inside the building and as students poured out of the building they were struck by the automobile. The suspect then began stabbing students and was eventually shot dead by a police officer responding to the incident.

President Barack Obama has been briefed on the shooting and has asked to be updated on developments in the case, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Monday.

While the incident unfolded, Governor John Kasich tweeted his thoughts and prayers to the Ohio State community, “Be safe, listen to first responders.”

Facebook has activated its safety-check feature so students can alert friends and family members of their well-being.