Police have not released the man’s name.
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The suspect had asked for Baransi when he initially visited the restaurant and asked where he was from, but was told he had gone home sick that day, reported The Columbus Dispatch.
The FBI is warning the Columbus community not to jump to any conclusions: “People can’t jump to conclusions just based on the information that’s out there now”.
The suspect was identified as Mohamed Barry according to Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz. He was fatally shot by an officer after fleeing the scene.
Investigators are looking into whether Barry attacked the restaurant in the mistaken belief that owner Hany Baransi was Jewish, sources told NBC News. They didn’t give a hometown for him. Police say a 54-year-old man remained in critical but stable condition Friday at a hospital. Another man and woman, both 43, were in stable condition.
Recorded 911 calls about a machete attack at an OH restaurant show the shock many people felt as the stunning scene unfolded.
ABC News reports Mohammad Barry was on the FBI’s radar prior to Thursday night’s attack.
Barry fled the scene but police were able to locate him.
Officers first used a Taser and were unsuccessful in trying to subdue Barry and then shot him multiple times when he lunged at an officer, police said.
Zakas said people love the restaurant and its owner. An officer fired two shots at the suspect.
Sgt. Rich Weiner said the suspect was in the restaurant, speaking with an employee, less than an hour before the attack. The last victim, Neil McMeekin, 43, has been treated and released, police said today.
It was not immediately clear what motivated the attack.
Police credited the employees and patrons with acting quickly and observantly to fend off the man and help authorities catch him. The man allegedly walked into the restaurant, had a conversation with an employee and left, before returning about 30 minutes later, according to the Associated Press.
“A gentleman came in with a machete and started hacking at people”, one male witness said. According to local reports, as officers approached the man’s vehicle, he got out with a knife in one hand and the machete in the other. He then attacked four people inside using a machete before taking off.
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Weiner said there seemed to be “no rhyme or reason” to the attack. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
