1 Suspect Dead, 11 Injured After Attack On Ohio State Campus
COLUMBUS (WWJ) - One suspect was killed and 11 other people were injured on the campus of Ohio State University after reports of an active shooter Monday morning.
But as it turned out, no one was shot other than the suspect — a Somali immigrant — who CBS News reports was killed by a police office within about a minute of the initial attack.
University President Michael Drake said the incident began as the attacker purposely drove over the curb and used his car as a weapon.
"The vehicle ran into a group of pedestrians, people gathered on the street corner, resulting in several injuries," Drake told reporters. "The driver then got out and used a weapon to cut several people."
That weapon was described a butcher knife. Police said the nine people who suffered knife wounds and/or injuries from being struck by the car were being treated at a local hospital.
Just before 10 a.m. campus police sent an alert; "Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College," according to OSU Emergency Management.
While the investigation was ongoing, police warned students to stay inside and to avoid the area of College Road north. They gave the all-clear around 11:35 a.m., allowing students to return to their dorms — but the school cancelled classes for the rest of the day.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News the attacker has been identified as Abdul Ali Artan, an OSU freshman and Somali refugee who moved to the U.S. with his family in 2007. Police believe he is 18-years-old, but other reports have him as a 20-year-old.
He had a green card.
Possible inspiration by terrorist groups is being investigated as officials say ISIS has called for jihadist action using vehicles and weapons at hand.
Monica Moll, OSU's Public Safety Director, said earlier reports of additional suspects were incorrect and that only one man was involved. "We believe that the threat ended right when the officer engaged the suspect," she said.
Earlier, a student calling into CBS Cleveland 19 TV said he'd heard the shots.
"I left class ; I heard about 6 or 7 gun shots right behind me ... maybe 50 yards away. I saw a bunch of other students running toward the building and I just ran back into the building," said Marcel, who didn't give his last name.
"I did freeze — I didn't know what to do. When I saw people running I ran back into the building. We ran into the dining hall. We ran inside, they quickly locked the place, some people got teary-eyed. There we cop cars flying up the street. They had us stay away from the windows as they moved us up to the second floor."
University of Michigan Football re-tweeted thoughts and prayers for those on the rival campus.
In a statement, President-elect Donald Trump thanked first responders for their good work.
Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the nation with about 65,000 students.
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