US stabbings suspect seized at airport

12 April 2012

A shop worker was seized as he tried to board a plane from Atlanta to Tel Aviv by police investigating a three-month stabbing spree which left five men dead and 13 wounded.

Elias Abuelazam, 33, an Israeli, was charged last night with assault with intent to murder over an attack last month in Flint, Michigan, where most of the stabbings occurred and where he lives and works.

Most victims were black but it was unclear whether the attacks were racially motivated. The youngest was 15 and the oldest 67.

Abuelazam's mother, Iyam al-Azzam, told Israeli radio: "I do not believe these charges are true. Elias, my son, is a religious, God-fearing man who always assists anyone who needs help."

Abuelazam was married to a Texan woman, Jessica Nimitz, between 2004 and 2007. She said she was struggling to cope with the news: "I'm shocked. I'm trying to figure out what's going on."

The suspect left his vehicle in Michigan and flew to Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday and then to Atlanta.

Antwione Marshall, 26, the victim of the July 27 stabbing over which Abuelazam has been charged, said he was going into his apartment building when the attacker approached and asked for help fixing his car. Mr Marshall was stabbed twice when he opened the bonnet and though recovered has a long scar from his chest to his pelvic area.

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