SF Driver Called Himself a "Terrorist"

SF Driver Called Himself a "Terrorist"

From KTVU in San Francisco, here's a little bit of information that
somehow failed to make it into any of the media reports on
yesterday's hit and run attacks in San Francisco.

Watch as reporter Rob Roth says a witness heard the suspect refer to
himself as a "terrorist," then without taking a breath tells us
this was not an act of terrorism.

(Video player requires Flash Player 8.)

UPDATE at 8/30/06 9:41:13 am:

An interesting coincidence (and possible motive for revenge?) from
earlier this month, when an elderly man lost control of his car and ran
into a crowd outside Omeed Aziz Popal's mosque: Car injures 11
outside mosque. (Hat tip: Adam.)

A 77-year-old man plowed his car into a group gathered outside a
Hayward mosque Friday afternoon, injuring 11, police said.

Because the members of the Abu Bakr Siddiq Mosque mostly belong to
the Afghan community, reports of the incident initially sparked fears
of a hate crime, but Sgt. Corey Quinn said police are investigating the
incident as an accident.

Four of the people hit in the parking lot of the mosque were
treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Quinn
said, with seven others declining immediate medical care.

The driver, who was unhurt, was not cited, Quinn said. "It was
not on purpose," Quinn said. "It was one of those things that just
happened."

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/


Media Shies Away from M Word Again

The media is shying away from the subject of whether Omeed Aziz Popal
is a Muslim as if it were radioactive. Here's a story at Mercury News
that floats the thoroughly predictable excuse that he was normally kind
and pious, but the stress of an arranged Islamic marriage caused him to
develop mental illness: Arranged nuptials may have stressed suspect,
relatives say. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

Relatives of a Fremont man connected to Tuesday's deadly driving
rampage said he may have been distraught after returning recently from
Afghanistan without his newlywed wife, who is waiting for a visa.

Omeed Aziz Popal, 29, who sources said was being held by San
Francisco police, was normally kind and gentle, said Hamid Nekrawesh,
43, a first cousin in Fremont.

But a recent trip to Afghanistan to participate in an arranged
marriage could have caused him a lot of stress, Nekrawesh said.

"He was a very respectful, quiet, nice guy," Nekrawesh said.
"I've never seen him do anything violent."

Friends and relatives said Popal had been hearing voices since
returning a month ago from Afghanistan.

"He thought the devil was coming for him," said Zarghona Ramish
of San Jose, who also identified herself as Popal's cousin.

Afghan community leader Farid Younos said Popal comes from a
"decent, pious and respectful" family, devout members of the Abu
Bakr Siddiq Mosque in Hayward.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/

Indoarsman

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