[Mathews]

Why would he say it in English? Birds of a feather and all. If someone was with him, I'd guess they would both be from the same area of the world and BOTH would be speaking in their native tongue. If he was thinking out loud, I'd guess he would also do so in his native tongue, not English. So, he was either overheard by a person who speaks his native language, was speaking to someone who does not speak his language forcing him to speak English, or he has assimilated so well into the American culture he uses English as his primary language... even in stressful environments. Interesting.

[null and void]

Why would he say it in English?

If I was near a terrorist attack and heard arabic, the speaker wouldn't end up in a hospital...