First picture of Somali refugee who wounded 11 during machete frenzy at Ohio State University
Attacker Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was a student at the university and although he looked older, he claimed to be 18
THE machete-wielding refugee who was shot dead by police after injuring 11 people at Ohio State University was a Somali-born student who recently revealed his fears of being a devout Muslim on campus.
Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, who was living in the US as a legal permanent resident, smashed a car into a group of people before assaulting his victims with a huge blade.
But given his appearance - his balding hair, moustache and goatee - questions have been asked whether he really was just 18 years old.
In August, the attacker gave an interview with the university’s student newspaper where he admitted to being 'scared' of praying openly at the college.
He said: “I wanted to pray in the open, but I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media.
“I'm a Muslim, it's not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen.
“But, I don't blame them. It's the media that put that picture in their heads so they're just going to have it and it, it's going to make them feel uncomfortable. I was kind of scared right now.
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Police are investigating whether the incident at the university in Columbus, Ohio, was related to terrorism.
Authorities have reportedly raided an address associated with the suspect and identified a Facebook post in which he made a 'declaration'.
While cops investigated claims there were multiple shooters, they quickly confirmed the scene was secure at around 11:30am local time.
Reports suggest two other suspects were arrested after police searched the campus, and classes were cancelled for the rest of the day.
Authorities have confirmed that Artan was the only person in the attack car during the rampage.
As the situation unfolded, the university sent a series of tweets telling its 60,000 students to shelter in place and to "Run Hide Fight."
Hospitals have reportedly confirmed that none of the wounded in the attack have life threatening injuries, according to Associated Press.
The cop who shot and killed the fanatic has been named as Alan Horujko – a 28-year-old who only joined the university’s police force in January 2015.
Artan's use of a vehicle has drawn comparisons to the Nice truck attack in July which left 86 people dead.
At around 10am local time (3pm GMT), the university's emergency management department tweeted: "Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College."
Watts Hall is a materials science and engineering building.
'Run, hide, fight' is standard protocol for active shooter situations, instructing people to run, evacuate if possible or hide - and as a last resort take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter if your life is in imminent danger.
Student Anthony Falzarano, 22, told : "We heard a lot of sirens. I was in class and everyone got a text message at the same time for the emergency alert.
"Someone said they heard popping right before we got the alert, but I didn't hear it."
The local fire department confirmed two of those taken to hospital are in a stable condition, while at least one is in a critical condition.
Responding to the shooting, Ohio Governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate John Kasich tweeted: "Ohio's thoughts and prayers go out to the Ohio State community. Be safe, listen to first responders."
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