Report: ISIS-linked media calls mall attacker ‘a soldier of the Islamic State’

Media linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claims the man who stabbed eight people in a Minnesota shopping mall was a “soldier of the Islamic State,” according to The Associated Press.

BREAKING: IS-linked media claims Minnesota mall stabber was ‘soldier of the Islamic State.’

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 18, 2016

{mosads}The attacker, who reportedly made references to Allah, was shot dead by an off-duty police officer in St. Cloud, Minn., on Saturday.

The Amaq News Agency said in a statement the attacker “carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of countries belonging to the crusader coalition,” according to The Washington Post.

Amaq telegram channel issues statement on Minnesota mall knife attack yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Y0beAN3xHf

— Program On Extremism (@gwupoe) September 18, 2016

The eight people stabbed at the Minnesota mall all suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Post.

St. Cloud Police Chief William Blair Anderson told reporters Saturday night the motivation for the attack wasn’t yet known.

“I want everyone in St. Cloud to know we will be diligent and get to the bottom of this,” Anderson told reporters. “Starting tomorrow, St. Cloud will not be the same anymore.”

— This report was updated at 11:33 a.m.