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Terrorists inspired Ohio State attacker Abdul Razak Ali Artan

Posted at 3:29 PM, Nov 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-29 15:30:26-05

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Authorities believe Abdul Razak Ali Artan, who attacked pedestrians Monday at the Ohio State University, was inspired by terrorist propaganda from ISIS and deceased Yemeni-American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, two law enforcement sources said.

The sources point to Facebook postings Artan made Monday, which referenced Awlaki, who was a leader of al Qaeda in Yemen, as well as the style of the attack encouraged by ISIS in a recent online magazine.

There is no indication so far the assailant communicated with any terror group and evidence points to a lone wolf attack.

Investigators are inspecting his computer and cell phone and talking to family and associates, as they try to determine what led him to act.

This is a developing story.