The FBI has described accused terrorism suspect Ismail Hamed, 18, of Fountain Hills as a “home-grown lone wolf.” Michael DeLeon, FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Phoenix office, joined Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone at a press conference on Jan. 18 to discuss the case involving Hamed, who was shot by a Sheriff’s deputy sergeant in the parking lot of the District 7 Sheriff’s substation in Fountain Hills on Jan. 7.

DeLeon said Hamed was not previously known to the FBI and that such isolated suspects are now the most dangerous to national security.

Penzone said Hamed is an American-born citizen and there is no indication he had been in communication with anyone outside the country.

“These operators typically work alone and are currently the biggest threat to security,” DeLeon said. “Our success in dealing with them depends on strong partnerships among agencies and with citizens.”

Additional details concerning the shooting will appear in the Jan. 23 edition of The Times.