Feds: Elias Abuelazam Arrested in Connection to 20 Vicious Stabbing Attacks. Michigan resident Elias Abuelazam was identified today as the suspect in a series 20 vicious stabbings that included five deaths in three states, federal officials told ABC News. Abuelazam, 33, was apprehended Wednesday night at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport as he was about to board a plane for Israel, officials said. He was tracked to the airport after investigators dashed to track down a new lead that originated in Michigan. Abuelazam has not been charged in the attacks and was taken into custody on unrelated charges, investigators said.