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“The transition from violence inflicted on objects to violence inflicted on people, or a change in strategy from attacks on individuals to attacks on crowds of people (mass-casualty terrorism), can certainly be labeled as a form of radicalization (Caspar et al 5).
“The transition from violence inflicted on objects to violence inflicted on people, or a change in strategy from attacks on individuals to attacks on crowds of people (mass-casualty terrorism), can certainly be labeled as a form of radicalization (Caspar et al 5).
Radicalisation can progress through steps that may culminate in acts of terrorism. The path to intended violence (PIV) describes six sequential stages:
a sense of perceived injustice;
a belief that violence is needed to reestablish fairness (ideation);
collecting information on the intended target (research/planning);
preparing the equipment (weapons);
breaching security; and,
launching the attack.
A difficulty in studying lone-actor terrorism is its rarity, compounded by the smaller number of perpetrators who survive and are willing to engage in scientific study. Our understanding is further complicated when individuals convicted of terrorism-related activities present with psychiatric disorders (Little, Ford and Girardi 113).
Somebody’s path to terrorism or targeted violence:
“The domestic situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic creates an environment that could accelerate some individuals’ mobilization to targeted violence or radicalization to terrorism. Social distancing may lead to social isolation, which is associated with depression, increased anxiety, and social alienation. Similarly, work disruptions, including unexpected unemployment and layoffs, can also increase risk factors associated with radicalization to violence and willingness to engage in acts of targeted violence” (Homeland Security 17).
Acts of targeted violence affect cities and towns of all sizes, and impact individuals in the places where we work, learn, and otherwise carry out our daily activities. The best response requires a community-oriented approach, which does not include as much law enforcement agency intervention as it does the help of government officials and policy makers, mental health providers, employers, schools, houses of worship, and the general public (United States Secret Service 5).
Utilizing the threat assessment, created by the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment in 1998, one can better counter targeted violence. The assessment was originally created based on research from the targeting of public officials and public figures (United States Secret Service 5).
A threat assessment is designed to identify and intervene with individuals who pose a risk of engaging in targeted violence, regardless of motive, target, or weapon used (United States Secret Service 26).
A typical threat assessment involves the key components of identification, assessment, and management. People who feel concern about individuals potentially engaging in violence should voice their concern to law enforcement or someone else with a public safety responsibility. The responsible public safety entity must then assess the situation to determine how it can manage any risk of violence posed by the individual. Early intervention is key since it allows communities to respond appropriately to a large variety of situations, from individuals showing a low-level threat to those who pose an immediate and imminent risk of violence (United States Secret Service 28).
Seven incidents out of the 34 committed involved attackers who were motivated to violence by extreme or hateful views; attackers targeted members of various groups including Jewish, Muslim, Asian, or Hispanic people, as well as police and U.S. soldiers (United States Secret Service 11).
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