Chancellor: Not school's role to call attack terrorism
POSTED: 10:11 am EST March 10, 2006
UPDATED: 10:29 am EST March 10, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The chancellor of the University of North Carolina says it's not up to his administration to label the attack on campus last week that injured nine people.
"The fact is, this is not the university's call,'' Chancellor James Moeser said Thursday in response to students who have asked school leaders to condemn the attack by a former Muslim student as a terrorist act. "The U.S. attorney will determine whether or not this is an act of terrorism.''
Mohammed Taheri-azar, a 22-year-old UNC graduate, has been charged with nine counts of attempted first-degree murder and nine counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury after racing through a crowded campus gathering spot in a rented Jeep Cherokee. No one was seriously injured.
Taheri-azar told police that he intended to kill people to avenge the treatment of Muslims around the world. He is being held at Central Prison in Raleigh with bond set at $5.5 million.
A small group of students protesting Monday called for university administrators to condemn the act as terrorism.
"The chancellor should be out here with us, to be frank,'' said Luke Farley, speaker of the school's Student Congress.
Moeser said he understands how some students may believe they were the victims of a terrorist.
"I agree, this could feel like terrorism, especially if you're standing in front of a Jeep that's heading toward you trying to kill you,'' Moeser said. "As we have investigated this, we've come more and more to the conclusion that this was one individual acting alone in a criminal act.''
Moeser also said there was no way university officials could have anticipated the attack by Taheri-azar.
"There never were noticeable signs'' of a problem with Taheri-azar before his graduation last fall, he said. "He was a good student. He also was very much a loner.''
Moeser said certain "criminal minds'' don't reveal themselves easily.
"They don't raise red flags until they commit a crime,'' he said.
The campus is safe, Moeser said, warning that students should be more concerned about traveling safely during spring break next week.
__________________ Commen Sense and Critical Thinking are an absolute joke in today's society. Yes I am talking to you!
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The guy admits he hates America and wanted to hurt Americans. This is a no brainer...exicute him and wrap his carcuss in pig skins and send him home. The message will be understood.
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"They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf
