Updating SF Hit and Run Rampage

Was the driver apparently distraught over the fact that his new wife via an arranged marriage in Afghanistan was unable to obtain a visa to enter the US? That's apparently the spin being offered by some of those who know the suspect.

Relatives of a Fremont man connected to Tuesday's deadly driving rampage said he may have been distraught after returning recently from Afghanistan without his newlywed wife who iswaiting for a visa.

Omeed Aziz Popal, 29, who sources said was being held by the San Francisco police, was normally a kind and gentle person, said Hamid Nekrawesh, 43, a first cousin in Fremont.

But a recent trip to Afghanistan to participate in an arranged marriage could have caused him a lot of stress, Nekrawesh said.

``He was a very respectful, quiet, nice guy,'' Nekrawesh said. ``I've never seen him do anything violent.''

Zarghona Ramish of San Jose, who also identified herself as Popal's cousin, said he had been having strange dreams since returning a month ago from Afghanistan.

Strange dreams? I'd like to hear more about this.

Vinnie at The Jawa Report can't help but wonder about the trip to Afghanistan and what would make this guy snap.

Don Surber and Glenn Reynolds are having at it over a snarky comment made by Glenn.

Meanwhile, unnamed sources are saying that Popal was unrepentant and wanted to hit those folks. That doesn't exactly sound promising for those who want to clear this guy of driving while jihadi, although this is based on leaks from unnamed sources in the SFPD. The SF Mayor says that the incident is unrelated to international tensions. And he knows this how? Gateway Pundit has a great roundup. So does Pajamas Media.

Popal has apparently lawyered up, and the lawyer is claiming mental illness may have been behind the rampage, which leads me back to questioning those strange dreams - that might take on more significance as the criminal case winds its way through the system.

UPDATE:
Witnesses claim to have heard Popal say that he was a terrorist. LGF has the video and details.

UPDATE:
This incident hasn't been getting heavy play from big media outlets, but the bloggers have been wondering about Popal's motives, and what caused him to decide to mow down pedestrians throughout San Francisco. Others blogging: Wizbang, Say Anything, Rick Moran, and Hot Air.

The Anchoress has a brilliant comment on the situation:

This is becoming an appalling habit in the press and by politicians. An Islamic fundamentalist shoots Jews in a Synagogue, and it’s some sort of random incident. An Islamic fundamentalist uses his SUVto kill people partly in front of a Synagogue, and in what would appear to be a somewhat “Jewish neighborhood” and the press takes a hours to cover the story (probably looking for the appropriate “frame,”) and until someone in authority can be found to sing out, “ROAD RAGE”! Yeah, that’s the ticket! Road rage! Mayor Newsom sees no problem, here…a “relatively young” person, obviously confused! Yes, that’s the ticket!

Omeed Aziz Popal, the poor confused youngster, is 29 years old.

UPDATE:
Wizbang notes that the lawyer retained by Popal's family has declined to take the case, citing the expenses that would come with trying to put no a complicated case including expert witnesses on Popal's mental state. Popal will likely be represented by a public defender unless a high profile defense attorney comes forward to take the case.

Popal apparently had a history of mental illness according to family members.

Technorati: terrorism, terrorist, popal, san francisco, taheriazar, suv.