Amine El Khalifi busted after failed bomb attempt
Amine El Khalifi of Alexandria, Va., was arrested on Friday near the U.S. Capitol after a failed attempt at a suicide bombing.
The 29-year-old man, who thought he was working with al-Qaeda, was busted as he approached the Capital building with two undercover “operatives.” He was quickly arrested before leaving the parking garage, according to court papers, the Associated Press reported.
He was wearing a suicide vest that was given to him by undercover officials.
El Khalifi previously talked about killing numerous people, in addition to going on a killing spree by targeting a frequented building in Alexandria, a restaurant, synagogue and a building in Washington before his final destination, the Capitol.
The young man moved to the United States when he was a teenager. At that time, it is unknown if he was linked to al-Qaeda, although it is not believed so. After he continued to live in the U.S. with an expired visitor’s visa, he was closely watched f0r over a year, according to the Associated Press, which obtained this information from court documents.
The Washington Post is also reporting in 2010 he was evicted from his Arlington apartment after not paying his landlord, Frank Dynda, rent.
Dydna, who also happens to be a retired lawyer, said, “He was getting mysterious packages labeled ‘books,’ but I didn’t think there were books in them,” addingthat he felt his tenant was “suspicious and hostile,” making the decision to report him to police.
