6 Chicago family members killed in ‘targeted incident’

CHICAGO – Authorities on Saturday released the names of six family members found dead this week in their southwest side home – the victims of what Chicago police believe was a “targeted incident.”

Investigators are still trying to determine a possible motive. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said late Friday that it’s possible someone in the family “was involved in something that could have targeted them,” or that the killings occurred during a robbery or a domestic incident.

Their deaths were ruled homicides Friday by the medical examiner’s office. Five were stabbed to death and the sixth died of multiple gunshot wounds, the office said.

Man accused of plotting attack for Islamic State

DETROIT – Authorities have arrested a 21-year-old Michigan man whom they accuse of supporting Islamic State militants and plotting to attack a Detroit church.

Khalil Abu-Rayyan appeared Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit and remains jailed pending a Monday hearing. He hasn’t been charged with terrorism-related crimes but has been investigated since May and faces marijuana and gun charges.

U.S. attorney’s office spokeswoman Gina Balaya said Saturday that Abu-Rayyan had been under constant FBI surveillance recently because of concern about threats he made against the church, police officers and others in support of IS.

In a criminal complaint, the FBI says Abu-Rayyan expressed support for IS “propaganda” postings on social media, including videos of its members beheading captives. It also says he made several incriminating statements to an undercover agent, including that he supported IS, had a “desire to commit a martyrdom operation,” and that he wanted to behead someone.

Associated Press