Elias Abuelazam (suspect photo)

The man suspected of stabbing 18 victims and trying to flee from the country was taken down Wednesday night at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  Elias Abuelazam, 33, was booked on a Delta flight for Israel when a tip developed into a strong lead that put investigators hot on his trail.  As he was waiting to get on his plane, Abuelazam was taken down around 10 p.m.  I spoke with Lt. Gene Kapp of the Michigan State Police and he said since Monday they’ve received 600 tips in this case, one of which turned out to be an excellent lead.  Abuelazam had his first hearing today and will not fight extradition to Michigan to face one inital charge of assault with intent to murder for a July 27, 2010 incident.

Lt. Kapp realizes that if the tip had come in just a few hours later, the alleged suspect may have been on the flight across the world. “Everyone was working hard to place him there, and the fact that we had the contacts and the communications with the federal agencies to move that quick to make the apprehension for us,” added Kapp. 

Authorities confirm that Abuelazam moved to Flint, Michigan in early May and three search warrants have been executed in this case; one on the suspect’s vehicle, one for the suspects home and one for the suspect’s uncle’s home, which is right next door to where he was living.  Lt. Kapp said Abuelazam’s uncle is cooperating with the investigation.  I spoke with neighbor Jeff Schmitz who lives on Maryland Avenue, just two doors down from the suspect.  He said Abuelazam was fairly quiet, wasn’t home much and didn’t cause any problems.  Schmitz said he learned recently that one of the earlier attacks in Michigan was only two blocks away from his home.  What is interesting is one of the attacks in Leesburg, Virginia occurred only one block away from the suspect’s former home.

A warrant was issued Thursday for that charge that injured Antwoine Marshall. More charges expected in the near future.  Authorities are stopping short of saying that the crimes were racially motivated, but that is something they are looking into at this time.  Abuelazam had ties to Michigan where he was living on Maryland Avenue, and also in Leesburg, Virginia where he owned a home and was married, now divorced.  He was arrested in Arlington, Virginia on August 5, 2010 for failure to obey a highway sign and the officer realized he had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor assault out of Leesburg, Virginia.  He was immediately taken into custody and his SUV was impounded.  During the arrest, investigators seized a knife and a hammer inside the vehicle, but Abuelazam was released on bond on August 5, 2010 at 7:52 p.m.   Authorities believe he attacked two more men before taking off for Toledo, Ohio last weekend where they say he stabbed another man.

Abuelazam is being questioned in Atlanta by the taskforce, and is awaiting extradition back to Michigan. 

There’s a lot more to learn about this case and others.

By:  Michelle Sigona