ST. CLOUD – In a city torn by violence, hundreds of people came together Tuesday night in a show of unity.
It's been three days since 20-year-old Dahir Adan turned the Crossroads mall into a scene of bloodshed and terror. For the students who sat in class with him at St. Cloud State University, the terror and grief linger.
"In recent nights, there have been nights when I wake up crying," third-year student Barwaaqo Dirir told a crowd of hundreds gathered on campus. She knew Adan. Or thought she did. "My heart is heavy with a desperate need to pray for everyone. There are too many hurting and broken people."
Adan, dressed as a security guard and armed with a knife, slashed and stabbed his way through the Crossroads mall Saturday night, reportedly referring to Allah. He wounded 10 people before he was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer who happened to be in the mall.
The FBI on Tuesday took over the investigation into the attack that officials have called "a potential act of terrorism."
It was an incomprehensible act, both for those who knew and loved Adan and for people who know and love St. Cloud. The rally, which students organized in the space of a day, brought together students, residents, and university and city leaders, all repeating the message: This is not who we are.
"Remember, we write our story, not others," said Police Chief William Blair Anderson.
The university is working to reassure shaken students, offering counseling or security escorts to those fearful of another attack and those fearful of retaliation because they look like the attacker. In the aftermath of the Crossroads attack, however, university security has reported no disturbances or incidents.