Comments from Oklahoma’s local expert on counterterrorism and the Director of the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, David Cid.
In regards to the response of the shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.
Question: what the FBI is doing right now in the case??
Answer: “The FBI will immediately execute a search warrant on the subjects residence to include the suspect’s computer and any electronic media, and a search warrant on his vehicle.” Agents will also conduct a thorough crime scene investigation necessary to substantiate any charges.
“They will interview neighbors to identify who the subject dealt with on a regular basis, get a sense of his routine and movements and so on.”
“The FBI will certainly attempt to interview the suspect, which may or may not work.”
From the search warrants and other investigation will come leads- possibly identities of other members or persons of interest ,or weapons or locations of weapons.”
“The important question is did he act alone or did he have co-conspirators.”
“Agents will get closer to that answer quickly if people come forward.”
“All this activity will take place immediately as the FBI has a tremendous surge capacity. It can dedicate 300-400 agents on a case like this within hours.”
“It’s likely we could see this investigation go nationwide depending on what is found via the search warrants.”
In reference to the shooting suspect having ties/potential ties to white supremacy.?
Question: Are we seeing a rise in white supremacy or at least the fear of that type of extremism??
Answer: “When it comes to Oklahomans views we’re seeing a rising fear of attacks.”
“MIPT polled Oklahoma’s likely voters in late April, and 17.3% answered they thought attacks could come from right-wing extremists, such as white-supremacist groups, para-military or militia groups or anti-abortion extremists.”
“We have seen all three of types of groups represented in individual attacks here in the United States in the last month.”
“That says what we predicted in a report issued 10 months before the controversial DHS report, that the fringe right is becoming more violent and radicalized.”
“Our research was based on empirical data and clear thinking and was, unfortunately, correct.
MIPT's poll can be found here (with graph created by MIPT and with the unedited results from SoonerPoll.com)
About MIPT:
MIPT is a counterterrorism center focused on training, analysis and information sharing. Our origin is in the Oklahoma City Bombing, the largest domestic attack in the history of the United States.
Posted on
Thursday, June 11, 2009
by AmberTheinert
filed under