At an Atlanta airport, a man suspected of five deaths with 20 stabbings was arrested. He tried getting on a flight going to Tel Aviv, Israel. Elias Abuelazam came to the U.S. legally but is an Israeli citizen. 16 of these incidents happened in Michigan, 3 happened in Virginia, and one occurred in Ohio. There is a belief that race was part of these crimes considering most of those victimized were African American.
Attacks start in May
In late May, reports began of people being approached by a man, fitting Elias Abuelazam’s explanation, asking for help with a stalled car or for directions. This man would get a knife, stab the victims and flee when the victim died. ABC reports that police thought Elias Abuelazam was the stabber considering he was arrested for simple assault recently. Michigan, Virginia and Ohio law officials decided to work together to try and identify who this man is killing.
Race a motive behind killing
The crimes are thought to be motivated by race considering many of the victims were male African Americans. Most of the search was in Flint, Michigan which is where 16 of these stabbings happened. In Leesburg, Virginia, an additional three happened while Toledo, Ohio only had one. A judge in Flint issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a stabbing on July 27. A tip in Michigan led police to Atlanta International Airport, where he was boarding a flight for Tel Aviv, Israel. The intercom used a page to get police’s attention, and he was taken into custody.
Hasn’t been convicted
He is only a suspect right now although there is plenty of evidence suggesting otherwise. Michigan, where the five fatalities occurred, is not a death penalty state, so he isn’t really likely to be sentenced to death if convicted.
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/serial-stabber-suspect-identified-elias-abuelazam-federal-officals/story?id=11382102 and amp;page=1
