Knife attack in Minnesota mall injures 8, attacker dead

Not known whether stabbing is linked to other violent attacks in the nation

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Eight people were injured during a stabbing attack at a shopping St. Cloud mall Saturday night.  

Police say the attacker asked at least one of the victims whether they were Muslims before stabbing them. 

They say the suspected attacker who was dressed in a private security uniform and made references to Allah was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer.

St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson says eight people were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the attack.  One of the victims remained in the hospital, the others were treated and released.

The attack was first reported just after 8 on Saturday night at the Crossroads Center mall.  A statement from management says the mall is closed Sunday but will open again on Monday.  

Anderson declined to identity the attack as an act of terrorism.  The attack comes the same day as an explosion in New York City injured 29 while another potentially explosive device was found blocks away.

In New Jersey, another explosion went off on the route of a Marine Corps charity run.  While thousands were about to participate in the 5K race, nobody was injured in the explosion.