Ohio State University Attacker Inspired by Daesh, Al-Qaeda Propaganda

Ohio State University student Abdul Razak Ali Artan, who carried out Monday’s attack on the university, was inspired by the Islamic State and US-born al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, US media reported.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Prior to the attack, 18-year-old Artan posted Facebook messages referencing deceased Awlaki and Daesh, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing law enforcement sources.

Police said Artan had written posts condemning US interference in foreign countries and said he was "sick and tired" of attacks on Muslims.

An Ohio State University campus police officer shot and killed Artan on Monday after he drove his car into a group of students and stabbed others with a butcher knife.

Earlier on Tuesday, Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq Agency news. The group said a "soldier of the Islamic State" carried out the attacks in response to the group’s call to target members of the US-led coalition fighting the group in Syria and Iraq.