Ohio police have identified Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, a Somali refugee, as the suspect who allegedly launched a terrorist attack on the Ohio State campus Monday morning at 9:52 a.m. Police said the man drove his car into a group of students outside the university’s Watts Hall. The suspected terrorist then exited his car and allegedly began to slash and stab his victims, leaving nine injured.
Within one minute of the attack reports of shots fired were being reported. At 9:56 a.m. campus officials activated their “Buckeye Alert” system, notifying students and staff of an active shooter on campus.
Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016
Witness began to report that a fire alarm had been pulled at Watts Hall earlier in the morning. Officials sad that the fire department had just let students back into the building when the attack took place.
A nearby OSU Campus Police Officer confronted the suspect, ordering him to drop his weapon. The man reportedly did not comply forcing the officer to fire his service weapon. The Somali native was killed during the confrontation.
Officials report that 9 remain hospitalized, 1 in critical.
Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016
The Ohio State campus was on lock down for several hours after the incident.
Buckeye Alert: Continue to shelter in place. Avoid area of College. More information to follow.
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016
Buckeye Alert: Continue to shelter in place in north campus area. Follow directions of Police on scene.
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016
Buckeye Alert: Continue to shelter in place. Wait for Police officers directions. Please contact Police / 9-1-1 only if you have information
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016
