United States

Despite DHS Director's Claim, Prosecutor Says No Links to Terrorism in Harrisburg Shooting Spree

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's acting director called last Friday's shooting spree near the Pennsylvania State Capitol a "terror attack," but local authorities say they've found no links to any terrorist activity

Authorities in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, are downplaying an initial assessment by the Trump Administration that a shooting spree in the capital city last week was an act of terrorism.

Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said Thursday friends and relatives of Ahmed Aminamin El-Mofty describe him as depressed, and he's believed to have acted alone during the Friday shooting that left a Pennsylvania State trooper shot.

Last Saturday, Tyler Houlton, acting director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, characterized the shooting as a "terror attack" in a statement posted to Twitter. Houlton went on to criticize how El-Mofty was granted citizenship through extended family chain migration.

Marisco said investigators have not connected the Egyptian immigrant to any organized terror group or terrorist activity. The 51-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen has no prior criminal record, police said.

"Mr. El-Mofty, at this point in time, acted alone, and we believe there is no further threat," Marisco said.

Police shot and killed El-Mofty about a mile from where the shooting began near Pennsylvania's State Capitol building. Authorities say they found two propane tanks on El-Mofty's person — one in a fanny pack and one near the car.

Harrisburg Shooting Spree El-Mofty
Eric Heisler / Dauphin County District Attorney's Office
Authorities say Ahmed Aminamin El-Mofty went on a shooting spree that left Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on edge Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. He was shot and killed by police.

Marsico says the divorced El-Mofty was said to be depressed over lack of contact with his family and had money problems. He's unsure what motivated El-Mofty.

The trooper was treated for what Marsico called a slight wound.

The prosecutor's preliminary finding suggests police were justified in shooting El-Mofty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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