FBI investigating stabbing of police officer in Flint, Michigan airport 'as act of terrorism'

Federal authorities said on Wednesday they are investigating the attack on a police officer in a Flint, Michigan airport as an "act of terrorism."

The statement identified Amor M. Ftouhi, a 49-year-old Canadian man, as the attacker.

"Mr. Ftouhi walked up to the victim, who is a lieutenant with the Bishop Airport Authority and was in full uniform, and stabbed the police officer in the neck with a knife," the U.S. Attorney's statement said. "As he did so, Ftouhi referenced killings in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and yelled 'Alahu Akbar.'"

Ftouhi was taken into custody by police, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said in a statement, adding that security was increased at Flint City Hall out of "an abundance of caution."

The officer who was stabbed, Lieutenant Jeff Neville of the airport's Department of Public Safety, is in stable condition after undergoing surgery, according to a Michigan State Police spokeswoman.

All passengers are safe and were evacuated, the airport said on Facebook. The airport remained closed on Wednesday afternoon.

Bishop Airport is a small regional airport with two runways that has, on average, 16 commercial flights arriving or departing each day, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking service.

(Reuters contributed to this report)