Police investigate stabbing at Portuguese Muslim center as possible terror attack

A man wielding a large knife killed two women and injured several others at an Ismaili Muslim center in Lisbon. Authorities said they were investigating Tuesday’s knife attack as a possible act of terrorism.

The women were Portuguese staff at the center, Ismaili community leader Narzim Ahmad told Portuguese television channel SIC.

Officers attended the center late Tuesday morning and encountered a man armed with a knife. Officers ordered him to surrender and he was shot as he advanced towards them, according to the police statement.

A suspect was in custody at a Lisbon hospital. Investigators were studying terrorism as a possible motive.

Several other people were injured, according to the statement, which provided no further details.

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said police shot the suspect and told reporters the attack was “a criminal act”.

Imami Ismaili Shia Muslims, commonly known as Ismailis, belong to the Shia branch of Islam. Ismaili Muslims are a culturally diverse community living in over 25 countries around the world.

Portugal has not recorded any significant terrorist attacks in recent decades and religious violence is virtually unheard of.

“The Ismaili community is shocked and saddened by this incident and supports the families of the victims,” ​​the Ismaili community said in a statement. Neither the police nor the community have identified the dead women.