Fountain Hills terrorism suspect released from jail before 2020 trial

PHOENIX — An Islamic State follower who was shot earlier this year after throwing rocks at a sheriff’s sergeant in metro Phoenix has been released from custody and placed under house arrest.

Ismail Hamed, 18, is facing two counts of terrorism and one count of aggravated assault.

According to ABC 15, Hamed will be under house arrest until his trial begins on May 14, 2020.

The TV station reported that Hamed will not be allowed to leave his house without his parents or use the internet. He will only be allowed to use a phone to contact his attorney.

Hamed’s attorney pushed for house arrest or a bond reduction last month, saying Hamed he was being harassed in jail and experiencing stress and anxiety due to being away from his family.

The teen has been jailed since his Jan. 8 arrest outside a sheriff’s substation in Fountain Hills, 38 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix.

Before the attack, Hamed told a 911 operator that he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, was armed with rocks and a knife, and wanted to meet face-to-face with an officer. He told the operator that he wanted to protest suffering in the Middle East.

Body-camera video of the encounter shows that when a sheriff’s sergeant asked for Hamed’s identification, Hamed started throwing rocks at him, leading the officer to pull out his handgun and point it at Hamed, who then drew a knife and walked toward the sergeant.

The officer shot Hamed he ignored a warning to drop the knife.

Hamed, who at the time was a high school student on winter break, has pleaded not guilty.

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