Identity of St. Cloud, Minnesota Mall Attacker Revealed as Dahir Adan, Say ‘Leaders of Somali-American Community’ He was helpful and friendly.

From the St Cloud Times

St. Cloud Somali-American community members identified the deceased suspect as Dahir Adan.

Leaders of the Somali-American community in St. Cloud gathered Sunday with his family and issued a statement of sympathy for the family and the nine victims of the attack.

Community leader Abdul Kulane said as far as the family and community know, the suspect did not have any history of violence. He was known as a smart, accomplished student at Apollo High School. He was a junior at St. Cloud State University, Kulane said. 

Leaders say they are uncertain of motives behind the attack by Dahir Adan, who was killed during the spree by an off-duty police officer. The men expressed sympathy for the victims of the attack, their families and the entire community. They are also providing support to Adan’s family.

As attention turns to the wider community reaction, one leader hopes the attack does not prompt retaliation. Religious leaders added that Islam does not condone violence.

“He was helpful to his family and as far as we know, he never had a violent history, as far as his family and the community can remember. He was a friendly and active community member. . . All the information circulating in the media are speculations,” 

The leader of a Minnesota group focused on Islamic relations says he is worried about retaliation against the Somali-American community “We are hopeful that the community will come together in a difficult tragedy,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

He said there is concern about retaliation in St. Cloud because of a history of anti-Muslim sentiment here. Hussein planned to visit St. Cloud on Sunday to learn how CAIR can support the community. He has been in contact with local Somali leaders since late Saturday night.

.Others expressed disbelief and hope to see the complete picture of the incident, said Mohamed Mohamed, executive director of the St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Association, or SASSO.

Local police had about three previous encounters with the suspect, most for minor traffic violations, Anderson said. The attacker was not named by authorities early Sunday.

Authorities “have no reason to believe” anyone else was involved in the attacks, Anderson said.