Spc. Alek Skarlatos is center. Photo from French TV
Oregon National Guardsman Spc. Alek Skarlatos who is now serving in Germany was one of the passengers that risked their lives to tackle and disarm a terrorist who was shooting at passengers on a French train. He was one of three Americans who were traveling together. The trio and a British national, all who unarmed, attacked the heavily armed terrorist and disarmed him.
Spencer Stone, along Skarlatos, 22, who was on leave after a tour of Afghanistan, and Anthony Sadler led the effort to stop the terrorist.
The group has been honored by President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande for their bravery.
According to reports in the Telegraph of London:
Alek Skarlatos, 22, said: "If that guy's weapon would have been functioning properly I don't even want to think about how it would have went."
He also said that the attacker did not seem to know how to handle the gun properly.
Mr Skarlatos told Sky News: "I grabbed the handgun, got the handgun away from the guy and threw it. Then I grabbed the AK which was at his feet and started muzzle-thumping him in the head with it.
"Everybody just started beating on the guy while Spencer held the choke hold, until he went unconscious at that point. People started to restrain him."
Related Slideshow: Five Things To Know About Portland’s Joint Terrorism Task Force
The Portland City Council is considering new resolutions that would change the city's involvement with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. There are two possible new directions the city could choose. Here are five things that could change:
The way things stand now, the City of Portland is not officially in memorandum, or agreement with the FBI Joint Terrorism task force. However, because of a city council resolution passed in 2011, the city has agreed to lend police officers to FBI terrorism investigations as they see fit.
The FBI also submits annual reports from their task force investigation to the council, which are part of public record.
However, the council could vote to end the 2011 resolution, completely cutting ties with the task force.
The second option council members could choose is to completely commit to joining the task force. Portland would sign a formal memorandum of understanding with the FBI. This would also involve repealing the 2011 resolution, and the City’s “as-needed” involvement.
Once the city joined, two officers from the Portland Police Bureau would be assigned to the task force. Currently, if the FBI were conducting a terrorism related investigation in Portland, PPB would not be involved until an arrest was ready to be made. Now, the two officers would be part of the entire investigation.
Currently, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and the Port of Portland also have officers on the task force full-time.
Whether the city decides to step completely in or out of the task force, either action will stop the annual reports presented to the city council. The reports were prepared by the FBI. Dana Hayes, spokesperson for Mayor Hales' Office, said there has been frustration with reports that fail to provide meaningful information.
If Portland does join the task force, then Mayor Hales would enter a non-disclosure agreement with the FBI, allowing him to receive classified briefings about task force investigations.
The reports will be presented by Gregory T. Bretzing with the FBI. The mayor will not be able to discuss specifics of the investigations, Haynes said.
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