A Montreal man accused of stabbing a police officer at the airport in Flint, Michigan tried unsuccessfully to buy a gun while in the U.S., according to a top FBI agent.

The investigation into what’s being called a terrorist attack in the United States continues in Montreal and south of the border after 49-year-old Amor Ftouhi was charged with stabbing a police officer.

“I will simply say that Ftoui attempted to buy a gun and was unsuccessful in the United States,” said FBI Special Agent David Gelios, head of the FBI in Detroit.

Montreal police and RCMP investigators spent the day at the suspect’s home in Saint-Michel, eventually emerging with several bags and what appeared to be two computers.

Ftouhi remains behind bars ahead of a bail hearing Wednesday.

“This investigation is very much ongoing. There’s lots of evidence to be digested by both the agents and prosecutors and I think it’s safe to say there will be additional charges forthcoming,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Dan Lemish, of the eastern district of Michigan.

Investigators say Ftouhi managed to purchase a knife in the U.S. The dual citizen of Canada and Tunisia is accused of stabbing airport police Lt. Jeff Neville at Bishop International Airport after yelling "Allahu akbar," the Arabic phrase for "God is great."

According to the FBI, Ftouhi said something similar to "you have killed people in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, and we are all going to die."

The officer is recovering.

The FBI said Ftoui was not on the authorities’ radar and it remains unclear what prompted him to drive 10 hours from Montreal to Flint to allegedly commit the attack, adding that the suspect has no personal connection to Flint or Michigan, but say Ftouhi "did want to identify an international airport."

Wednesday's attack at Bishop International Airport is being investigated as an act of terrorism, but the FBI says authorities have no indication at this time the suspect was involved in a "wider plot."


Couillard: Muslims have a responsibility

Meantime, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says Muslims also have a responsibility in the fight against terrorism.

Couillard says the stabbing is the kind of terrorist event that cannot be disconnected "from Islam in general."

Couillard said fighting terrorism is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone, including Muslims.

With a report from The Canadian Press and CTV Montreal