Terrorism has a strict definition for a reason. It's important to use these terms correctly. The FBI realizes this, which is why the special agent in charge clarified. The mayor's statement was unprofessional, frankly.
www.bbc.com
Understood, but frankly, I don’t hold the mayor accountable for an FBI-level of professional terminology when people have been senselessly slaughtered in his city on the first day of celebrating the new year.
I agree with this. I find it interesting that Luigi Mangione fits the definition for them while this incident doesn't though.
www.wdsu.com
New Year's Day attack in New Orleans: What we know and don't know
The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. at Bourbon and Iberville streets near the end of New Year’s celebrations and hours before the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome.
- ''The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. at Bourbon and Iberville streets near the end of New Year’s celebrations and hours before the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome.
- The New Orleans Police Superintendent said the suspect drove a pickup truck around barricades at a high speed and was "hellbent on creating carnage that he did."
- The suspect fired on officers, injuring two of them after crashing the vehicle. The two officers are reported to be in stable condition.
- An improvised explosive device was also found, though it was not clear if the device was found in the vehicle or elsewhere.
- The FBI is leading the investigation.
- ''Authorities did not identify the suspect or specify if the suspect was in custody. Sources tell WDSU that the suspect is dead.''
They had Luigi's manifesto upon arrest, where he expressed his motivations. It can be argued whether Luigi's alleged motivations constitute a designation of "terrorism" (but that seems outside of the scope of this thread). By contrast, we don't yet know the motivation of this attack beyond "kill people". That's the difference. That's why they don't want to label it terrorism yet.
Call me crazy, but even if the motive is ‘kill lots of people at once’ without a distinct sociopolitical ideology, I think it should still be considered terrorism - just in the name of chaos, not religion or political motives. MOO.
I know but it feels premature for them to say this incident wasn't. I think it more accurate to say "at this time" we have no evidence this was a terroristic attack. The guy had homemade explosives and appeared to be engaged in a suicide mission taking as many innocent lives with him as he could. A manifesto or not, we have no clue if his actions were politically motivated or otherwise yet. JMO mayors comments were premature and FBI's absolute denial was premature.
Respectfully, that mentality is emotionally charged, IMO. If everything is terrorism, nothing is. IMO.
I don't disagree. Both were wrong. Whole press conference was a mess IMO. (and I don't say that to judge just an observation, obviously a very difficult situation)
An FBI agent said, “ it was not a terrorist event at this point in the investigation.”
It is too early to determine if this fits the definition of a terrorist attack, it would be irresponsible for them to state definitively that it was a terrorist attack before the investigation. Was the attacker connected to an organization or simply a lone wolf?
