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October 14, 2017Las Vegas Killing Spree Was Domestic Terrorism
The Las Vegas killing spree was domestic terrorism. So why aren’t authorities and the media labeling it as such? The definition of terrorism, generally, is any calculated violence against innocent unsuspecting people by someone because of some political, religious, or ideological reason.
The definition of domestic terrorism is when such violence takes place in your own country against your own people.
While we may never know the political, religious or ideological views of this mass murderer, we do know that he engaged in the worst act of violence against his fellow citizens in his own country.
We also know the killer was not an immigrant. He was not Muslim, black, or Hispanic. He was not a young man as some of the recent domestic terrorists have been. Based on what we have been able to learn so far, the killer was neither a recruit, nor sympathizer of ISIS.
While he does not fit the typical profile of a terrorist, he is still a terrorist. The Las Vegas killing spree was domestic terrorism, committed by a native born American. A white male who was beyond middle age, in fact a 64-year-old retiree, living in an upper middle class retirement community.
Las Vegas Killing Spree Was Domestic Terrorism
This terrorist was apparently relatively wealthy, owned property and was an avid and successful gambler. Prior to retirement, he was an accountant with a college degree and a U.S. government employee, working for the Postal Service and the Internal Revenue Service.
Why has this violent crime against innocent unsuspecting Americans not been labeled a terrorist act? The Las Vegas killing spree was domestic terrorism. The killer, an American born white retired male, considered normal so far, is a terrorist.
While authorities are trying to determine motive, find the answer to the nagging question, “Why?” they can at least acknowledge one thing: The Las Vegas killing spree was domestic terrorism.
No doubt, what is most fearful and disconcerting is the apparent growing inability to profile a terrorist. What does a terrorist look like in America, today? The killer in the Las Vegas mass murders has destroyed the stereotypical profile.
How will America protect itself from the next domestic terrorist?
Feature Photo Credit: 1stAmender.com
17 Comments
This is terrible news. You would think someone in their senior years would be relaxed and at peace with himself instead of going on a killing spree. It’s hard to know what triggers murderers with different profiles.
You clearly define the term for the reader to first have a grasp of what you are to explain next. However, I do agree at some point but this was not a terrorist act. There are a number of reasons that might trigger such an event.
I know many people will argue about describing this act has domestic terrorism but I just want to condemn the act in its entirety.No body deserve to die in a gruesome way such as this, as such shooting indiscriminately and killing innocent people in the process should be condemned.
I don’t know the motivation from this man to commit killing all that people, but still, it was an act of massive violence. Sometimes is hard to think that a person apparently normal can do such things but maybe is cause we have stereotypes about who can be a killer and who can’t. Certainly we all humans are capable of wonderful things but also capable of horrible stuff.
It felt so bad to know in detail about the killing Spree in Las Vegas and I feel Government should take this seriously and try to stop all these things. Don’t think if its domestic terrorism or not but Government should make it possible that guns shouldn’t be allowed easily to everyone and it may help.
violence of any kind should be criticized,whatever may be the reason or provocation .but it is alarming that in several parts of the world a child a youth or somebody do massive killing without any reason which could be unidentified and is really shocking.
I am not really in the place to conclude everything but upon reading this blog post it makes me sad about what is happening around the world. I don’t know why these people intend to do such crime. Many innocent people are suffering. I am praying for that victim to find the justice.
Without a clear understanding of the factual circumstances surrounding this very unfortunate incident, it would be best to not use the term “terrorist” loosely. As clearly stated, this article is also uncertain as to whether the incident was prompted by political, religious or ideological views of the assailant. Now, we refer to the definition of terrorism which is unanimously explained as the use of indiscriminate violence or threat to further a political, religious or ideological objective. Thus, without a definite understanding of this man’s motive, we should not push it as an act of domestic terrorism. Whether it is, or it isn’t, the fact remains that we are now living in a pretty disturbed society wherein violent acts such as the commission of mass murders are easily done. What should we do about it? I don’t think branding it as an act of domestic terrorism makes any difference.
Maybe it was to suppress the spread of fear. As we all know the media sometimes if not all the time blow the news out of proportion because it is what attracts viewers. But this could also cause panic and may lead to chaos.
How can someone be called a terrorist when it actually doesn’t know the reason behind the mass murder. A wealthy white-American male can do such a horrible crime. I think some people can commit such crime despite of this kind of background.
This is just horrible. I can’t believe this is even real. I guess reality is harsh. I hope this just ends so that we can have a better world.
I wonder how else this devilish act should be seen,of course it domestic terrorism and the perpetrator a terrorist. I think the authorities are fast losing it by not standing against such acts.Something should be done fast to stop this trend.
As long as innocent people are getting hurt due to a person or a group of persons’ desperate attempt of violence, I would call it as a form of terrorism. It should not be bound by stereotypes – where a group of people of a particular race or part of so and so social class are more “bound” to commit severe acts of cruelty to their fellow human beings. It should also be called as it is, and not whitewash it because it degrades the “face” or “facade” of what that particular criminal is part of – in this case, a very wealthy white male.
Political, religious and ideological views aside, he may simply be someone who is suffering from a case of mental illness that caused him to hurt a lot of his fellow Americans. It may even be a complex case of both. In any case, this is a very thought provoking article. You truly never know the madness of one’s being until it comes to a breaking point.
This happened not just in Vegas but everywhere in the States. Why is that though? Never the less it is now a problem that needs attention. However that is not the case it seems.
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I think that the killing took place due to some ideology. It may be also due to a psychopathic tendency.
You know, this article makes me think about how people usually like to use the term ‘terrorist’ and pertain it to a certain ethnic group, thinking it only applies to them. Instead of using it for someone or something that simply ‘creates terror’, it has become somewhat of a racial issue. I’ve noticed that they almost rarely use the term on themselves even when it truly is this case. Just my perspective. Very interesting article.
While I agree with you that the recent Las Vegas killing spree was mass murder committed by a wealthy white American male, I do not agree that this vile act can be called ‘domestic terrorism’. Such a characterization right now would be pre-mature. According to your definition of terrorism, the killing must be done because of some political, religious, or ideological reason. At this point in the investigation the killer’s motive for his actions is not known. Until a motive is determined we can not say the act of killing 58 people is anything other than mass murder.