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Brutal Hatchet Attack on NYC Officers Was 'Terrorist Attack' by Homegrown Radical, Police Confirm
(NYPD)

Brutal Hatchet Attack on NYC Officers Was 'Terrorist Attack' by Homegrown Radical, Police Confirm

Suspect was a Muslim convert who ranted online against America...

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) -- New York City police Commissioner William Bratton says the hatchet attack on four rookie officers was a terrorist act by a homegrown radical.

Bratton said Friday the suspect, Zale Thompson, was a Muslim convert who ranted online against America, but had no clear ties to international terrorism. He believes Thompson was self-radicalized.

Thompson was killed by police. One officer is hospitalized with a head wound.

(NYPD) (NYPD)

Bratton says investigators are trying to determine whether the attack was planned.

Police are examining Thompson's computer for clues. Bratton says investigators found that Thompson browsed for organized terror groups, as well as beheadings and the shooting in Canada earlier this week.

Authorities also are trying to determine if Thompson had any history of mental illness. But Bratton says he is comfortable calling it a "terrorist attack."

As TheBlaze reported Thursday night, Thompson's Facebook page and comments he made online raised initial alarms that the attack may have been related to terrorism.

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Vocative reported that Thompson previously commented on a YouTube video, saying: “If you’re looking for ‘perfect’ Muslims who never make any mistakes in their Jihad, then you will be looking in vain! If the Zionists and the Crusaders had never invaded and colonized the Islamic lands after WW1, then there would be no need for Jihad! Which is better, to sit around and do nothing, or to Jihad fisabeelallah!”

TheBlaze also tracked down another YouTube comment railing against "whites."

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