Local terror suspect's arrest not surprising to neighbor

WILMER, Ala. (WALA) - New details emerged about the two men arrested on terrorist charges on Dec. 11. FOX10 News spoke with neighbors of suspect Randy Wilson’s mother.

At least one of the neighbors didn’t seem surprised with Wilson’s arrest.

"It didn't surprise me,“ said one man. “Well, things just went on over there, and Randy (was) in and out.”

However, it would be understandable that Wilson would visit because both his mother and grandmother live on the street.

Another neighbor who didn’t want to be identified said she believes Wilson was introduced to the Muslim religion by his stepfather.

"I can't recall his last name. He's from Egypt. He took Randy under his wing when Randy was a teenager," she said.

Court records show Wilson's mother married an Egyptian in 1996.

"I'm not against the Muslims, but I’m against the radicals that want to kill us," the woman said.

Wilson was arrested in Atlanta attempting to board a flight to Morocco.

The other suspect, Mohammad Abukhdair, was raised in Syracuse, New York. According to the information released by the US Attorney, he moved to Cairo in 2007 to study Arabic. Abukhdair was arrested in Alexandria in 2010 on suspicion of being involved with a terrorism group in Egypt.

 Wilson also has ties to Omar Hammami, the Daphne native who is now on the FBI's “Most Wanted Terrorist" list.