He said that Ftouhi entered the USA legally on June 16 and went to the airport on Wednesday morning. It has a serrated edge, and he used it to attack Neville from behind.
The stabbing is being investigated as an act of terrorism, but authorities have no indication at this time that Ftouhi was involved in a "wider plot".
Lt. Jeff Neville was in stable condition after being upgraded from critical, Michigan State Police spokesman Lt. Mike Shaw tells The Associated Press, and the suspect is in custody.
Amor Ftouhi was arrested and charged with violence at an worldwide airport, Global News reported. "I've never had any problems with him", Piazza said, CBC News reported. He said Neville served in various capacities with the sheriff's office including in the jail, on road patrol and as a court officer.
Bishop International Airport in Flint was immediately evacuated and flights canceled.
Snyder also thanked all law enforcement officers and first responders and said he is "heartened to hear that Lt. Jeff Neville is expected to make a full recovery". "We will release more information as we have it".
US officials, who have questioned Ftouhi, now believe he acted alone and was not part of a larger plot, Gelios said.
Authorities interviewed Fthoui extensively after the attack.
"Suffice it to say, he has a hatred for the United States", Mr Gelios said of Ftouhi.The investigation is ongoing as a part of a joint operation with Canada, officials said. He was described as middle-aged, but there were conflicting reports on his age; an Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesman said he was 50 years old, but a news release said he was 49, according to the Canadian Press.
Lawyer: Family seeks justice in police killing
In addition to being aware of her mental health condition, the officers knew she had several children present in the home. SPD officers are given the option of carrying a Taser, pepper spray or a baton as a less-than-lethal option.
Meanwhile, witnesses in Flint described seeing the suspect led away in handcuffs by police, Neville bleeding and a knife on the ground.
A spokesperson for the Canadian Embassy in Washington said the Canadian government and law enforcement agencies are "engaged and are cooperating fully" with their American counterparts.
Ftouhi's longtime Montreal landlord said he was not a hard tenant.
"He's a good person, very quiet". He has lived crime-free since then, and the pardon should allow him to fight deportation, Cuomo said.
Industrielle Alliance confirmed that Ftouhi studied to become a company representative from February to July 2011, but left before he could obtain his certificate.
Flint Journal files also show Neville has been an occasional competitive eater, participating in a 2005 contest sponsored by the International Federation of Competitive Eating and later that year a police officers' doughnut-eating competition.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder tweeted a message of support to the "attacked officer", asking people to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
Canadian law enforcement agencies are in touch with their United States counterparts and assisting them in every way possible, Goodale said.
In response to the stabbing, Flint police were stationed around the City Hall but the building remained open for business.
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