Safaa Boular is a British ISIS supporter who plotted to carry out an attack on the British Museum in April 2017. Boular, along with her mother and sister—Mina Dich and Rizlaine Boular—and their friend, Khawla Barghouthi, were Britain’s first all-female ISIS terror cell.Duncan Gardham and Fiona Hamilton, “Mother and daughter Mina Dich and Rizlaine Boular jailed for Isis-inspired terror plot,” The Times, June 16, 2018, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mother-and-daughter-mina-dich-and-rizlaine-boular-jailed-for-isis-inspired-terror-plot-hz267gtrk. Boular originally sought to launch a gun and grenade attack on the British Museum, but upon her arrest, she solicited her mother and sister to carry out a knife attack near the Houses of Parliament. On August 3, 2018, Boular was sentenced to life in prison on two counts of preparation of a terrorist act.“YEAR IN REVIEW 2018: ALL-FEMALE TERROR PLOT,” Counter Terrorism Policing, December 26, 2018, https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/year-in-review-2018-all-female-terror-plot/.
According to reports, Boular began to radicalize in 2012 when her mother began supporting jihadi causes.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647. However, her relationship with her mother was tumultuous, and Boular attempted to run away from home on multiple occasions. Boular was further radicalized by the Paris terror attacks of 2015, eventually communicating with a female ISIS recruiter, Umm Isa Al-Amriki, a.k.a. Shadi Jabar, and a British-born ISIS fighter named Naweed Hussain.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647.
After about a year of communicating with Hussain through Instagram, Boular and Hussain were wed in an online ceremony.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647. Safaa Boular planned to join him in Syria to carry out a suicide attack. Hussain sent Boular’s older sister, Rizlaine, £3,000 to pay for both sisters’ travel arrangements to Syria. However, both fell under suspicion of U.K. Counter Terrorism Police and security services following their return from a family vacation in Morocco on August 19, 2016. Boular admitted to authorities at Stansted airport that she planned to travel to Syria to live with Hussain, leading to the seizure of both her and her sister’s passports. The sisters were later released on bail. Following this incident, security officials began to monitor Boular’s messages on Telegram.“Teenager convicted of UK terror plot,” Crown Prosecution Service, June 4, 2018, https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/teenager-convicted-uk-terror-plot.; Lizzie Dearden, “Britain's youngest female terror plotter jailed for life after planning Isis-inspired attack on British Museum,” Independent, August 3, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/isis-british-museum-terror-attack-plot-safaa-boular-jailed-life-youngest-uk-tea-party-a8476416.html.
Unable to join Hussain in Syria, Hussain and Boular started to plot a grenade and gun attack against the British Museum.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647. Upon news of Hussain’s death in Syria in 2017, Boular was reportedly further motivated to follow through with her terror plot.Lizzie Dearden, “Britain's youngest female terror plotter jailed for life after planning Isis-inspired attack on British Museum,” Independent, August 3, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/isis-british-museum-terror-attack-plot-safaa-boular-jailed-life-youngest-uk-tea-party-a8476416.html.; Duncan McNab, “Shadi Jabar turned from midwife student to terror recruiter, turning her own brother into a murderer,” 7 News, April 13, 2019, https://7news.com.au/news/crime/shadi-jabar-turned-from-midwife-student-to-terror-recruiter-turning-her-own-brother-into-a-murderer-c-52987.
On April 12, 2017, Boular was arrested after revealing her plans to two undercover MI5 officers. She also informed the officers of her plans to travel to Syria to carry out terror attacks. According to authorities, Boular claimed that she had an online network of up to 400 “friends” from ISIS.Lizzie Dearden, “Britain's youngest female terror plotter jailed for life after planning Isis-inspired attack on British Museum,” Independent, August 3, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/isis-british-museum-terror-attack-plot-safaa-boular-jailed-life-youngest-uk-tea-party-a8476416.html.
Although in jail, Boular continued to communicate with her mother and sister in an effort for them to proceed with a knife attack near the Houses of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The three women used Alice in Wonderland codenames to evade detection from the authorities, referring to the attack as the “Mad Hatter’s tea party.” However, on April 27, 2017, both Rizlaine Boular and Mina Dich, along with a family friend, are arrested for attempting to carry out a terror plot.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647.
On August 3, 2018, Boular was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment on charges of two counts of preparation of terrorist acts with a 13-year minimum term.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647. On April 17, 2019, Boular’s sentence was reduced to an 11-year minimum term given that she was only 12-years-old when she was indoctrinated into the radicalization process.Dominic Casciani, “Teenager Safaa Boular jailed for life over IS terror plot,” BBC News, August 3, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45062647.
Second-Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani was an al-Qaeda-linked Saudi military officer who killed three people in an attack a U.S. military base in Florida on December 6, 2019. That morning, Alshamrani opened fire with a 9-millimeter handgun in a classroom building at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, killing three and wounding eight others. Alshamrani was shot and killed during the attack by a sheriff’s deputy.Frances Robles, Eric Schmitt, Patricia Mazzei, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, “Before Florida Shooting, Gunman Showed Off Videos of Mass Attacks,” New York Times, December 7, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/us/pensacola-florida-shooting-saudi.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article. In January 2020, the U.S. government labeled the shooting a terrorist attack and later linked Alshamrani to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which claimed responsibility for the attack.“Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray Announce Significant Developments in the Investigation of the Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-and-fbi-director-christopher-wray-announce-significant; “Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula claims December shooting at Florida naval base,” Reuters, February 2, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-shooting-alqaeda/al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula-claims-december-shooting-at-florida-naval-base-idUSKBN1ZW0PH.
Alshamrani was a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force who grew up in southern Saudi Arabia in a home that was religiously observant but not strict. In approximately 2015, Alshamrani began following hardline Saudi clerics Abdulaziz al-Tarifi and Ibrahim al-Sakran, who were imprisoned by the Saudi government in 2016, as well as clerics from Jordan and Kuwait. Alshamrani reportedly made first contact with AQAP operatives in 2015, though the circumstances are unclear. He also joined the Saudi Air Force at approximately this time, reportedly fulfilling a childhood goal of becoming a pilot. He reported to the King Faisal Air Academy in Riyadh for training.Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html.
Alshamrani was one of two students from the academy chosen to train in the United States. He arrived in the United States in August 2017 on a diplomatic visa and was scheduled to complete his training in the summer of 2020.Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, “Pensacola Attack Probed for Terrorism Link. Saudi Suspect Clashed With Instructor,” New York Times, December 8, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/us/pensacola-gunman.html; Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html. Alshamrani was one of more than 850 Saudi officers training in the United States at the time. Like all foreign officers training in the United States, Alshamrani was vetted for links to terrorism and a criminal history before he could start his training.Lolita C. Baldor, “US digs into Saudi shooting suspect motive in Navy shooting,” Associated Press, December 6, 2019, https://apnews.com/1102076110d04018176b4f7f12017347. A June 2020 New York Times investigation found that Alshamrani had passed multiple background checks to first join the Saudi military and then train in the United States, including by the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the State Department, and the Pentagon. The United States had bolstered its process of internal military background checks since the deadly 2009 Fort Hood and 2013 Washington Navy Yard shootings. According to media reports, however, the increases focused primarily on U.S. citizens, not foreign military students training in the United States.Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html.
After completing his language training, Alshamrani transferred to the naval air station in Pensacola, Florida.Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html. In April 2019, Alshamrani filed a complaint against one of his instructors, James Day, after Day gave him the nickname “Porn Stash”—as spelled in the complaint—during class. According to the complaint, Day cited Alshamrani’s mustache as inspiration for the nickname, referring to male porn stars having mustaches. Two other students in the class reportedly helped Alshamrani file the complaint against Day. Day’s employer, Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, told the New York Times “corrective action” was taken against Day in April.Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, “Pensacola Attack Probed for Terrorism Link. Saudi Suspect Clashed With Instructor,” New York Times, December 8, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/us/pensacola-gunman.html.
Alsharamni’s diplomatic visa allowed him to travel freely while studying.Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html. He traveled home to Saudi Arabia during breaks in his trainings. He returned from his last visit to Saudi Arabia in February 2019. Friends and colleagues reported that he became noticeably more religious after that visit.Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, “Pensacola Attack Probed for Terrorism Link. Saudi Suspect Clashed With Instructor,” New York Times, December 8, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/us/pensacola-gunman.html. After the shooting, investigators found a Twitter account matching Alshamrani’s name, which included tweets criticizing the United States and praising Osama bin Laden.Frances Robles, Eric Schmitt, Patricia Mazzei, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, “Before Florida Shooting, Gunman Showed Off Videos of Mass Attacks,” New York Times, December 7, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/us/pensacola-florida-shooting-saudi.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.
In July 2019, Alshamrani purchased a Glock Model 45 9mm pistol from a Florida gun dealer. Federal law prohibits the sale of such weapons to foreign nationals, but Alshamrani relied on a loophole in the law that allowed the purchase for hunting purposes. He had received a Florida hunting permit earlier that month.Courtney Mabeus, “Questions mount about how Saudi gunman bought murder weapon,” Navy Times, December 17, 2019, https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/12/17/questions-mount-about-how-saudi-gunman-bought-murder-weapon/; Pensacola News Journal, “Pensacola gunman legally purchased Glock 45 used in shooting, FBI says. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blames 'federal loophole,’” USA Today, last updated December 9, 2010, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/08/pensacola-shooting-gunman-legally-bought-glock-45-fbi/4378016002/. On September 11, 2019, Alshamrani posted on Twitter that “the countdown has begun.”Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html. Also that month, Alshamrani wrote out a will and saved it to his iPhone. He also forwarded a copy to AQAP.Michael LaForgia and Eric Schmitt, “The Lapses That Let a Saudi Extremist Shoot Up a U.S. Navy Base,” New York Times, June 21, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/saudi-gunman-vetting.html.
During the December attack, Alshamrani shot at his own iPhone to destroy it. Investigators found him with a second phone he had attempted to destroy.Katie Benner and Adam Goldman, “F.B.I. Finds Links Between Pensacola Gunman and Al Qaeda,” New York Times, May 18, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/justice-department-al-qaeda-florida-naval-base-shooting.html. Within one day of the attack, investigators received judicial approval to search Alshamrani’s cellphones but could not unlock their security protocols. On January 13, 2020, U.S. Attorney General William Barr labeled the shooting an act of terrorism and publicly asked Apple to help the FBI access the locked contents on the two iPhones.“Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray Announce Significant Developments in the Investigation of the Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-and-fbi-director-christopher-wray-announce-significant. Apple refused the request, according to the Department of Justice, though Apple claimed it had provided access to Alshamrani’s online storage accounts and provided support to federal investigators.Katie Benner and Adam Goldman, “F.B.I. Finds Links Between Pensacola Gunman and Al Qaeda,” New York Times, May 18, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/justice-department-al-qaeda-florida-naval-base-shooting.html. While the extent to which Apple aided the investigation is in dispute, the FBI successfully cracked the security protocols on the phones.“Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray Announce Significant Developments in the Investigation of the Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-and-fbi-director-christopher-wray-announce-significant.
In May 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the FBI had found evidence of encrypted conversations between Alshamrani and AQAP members as well as details of his radicalization in 2015. According to the Justice Department, the phones contained previously unknown information that “definitively established Alshamrani’s significant ties to” AQAP before the attack and before he arrived in the United States.“Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray Announce Significant Developments in the Investigation of the Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-and-fbi-director-christopher-wray-announce-significant. Investigators also found videos of a classroom building and a digital will on Alshamrani’s phone. The attack was the culmination of years of planning and Alshamrani had joined the Saudi military in order to carry out a “special operation,” according to the Justice Department.Katie Benner and Adam Goldman, “F.B.I. Finds Links Between Pensacola Gunman and Al Qaeda,” New York Times, May 18, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/justice-department-al-qaeda-florida-naval-base-shooting.html; “Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray Announce Significant Developments in the Investigation of the Naval Air Station Pensacola Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-and-fbi-director-christopher-wray-announce-significant.
Information found on Alshamrani’s phone also provided intelligence on AQAP operative Abdullah al-Maliki, who was killed in a CIA drone strike in Yemen earlier in May 2020. According to an unnamed U.S. official, Maliki was an al-Qaeda communications specialist in AQAP’s command structure who was globally distributing al-Qaeda’s messages. His death degraded al-Qaeda’s capabilities in Yemen, according to U.S. officials.Katie Benner and Adam Goldman, “F.B.I. Finds Links Between Pensacola Gunman and Al Qaeda,” New York Times, May 18, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/justice-department-al-qaeda-florida-naval-base-shooting.html.
Investigators believe Alshamrani acted alone and found no links to other Saudi military students training in the United States. Nonetheless, the United States expelled 21 Saudi students in possession of “derogatory material.”C. Todd Lopez, “DOJ Finds Pensacola Attack 'Act of Terrorism;' New Rules for Foreign Military Students,” U.S. Department of Defense, January 17, 2020, https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2060608/doj-finds-pensacola-attack-act-of-terrorism-new-rules-for-foreign-military-stud/. The U.S. government temporarily halted all international student military training at U.S. facilities after the December 2019 attack. In January 2020, the Department of Defense imposed further restrictions on international military students’ access to firearms and government facilities.Katie Benner and Adam Goldman, “F.B.I. Finds Links Between Pensacola Gunman and Al Qaeda,” New York Times, May 18, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/justice-department-al-qaeda-florida-naval-base-shooting.html; C. Todd Lopez, “DOJ Finds Pensacola Attack ‘Act of Terrorism;’ New Rules for Foreign Military Students,” U.S. Department of Defense, January 17, 2020, https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2060608/doj-finds-pensacola-attack-act-of-terrorism-new-rules-for-foreign-military-stud/.
American citizen Patrick Crusius is the alleged gunman who carried out a mass shooting at Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019. The attack killed 23 people and injured 22 others. He was indicted on 90 federal charges, including dozens of counts of hate crimes.Robert Moore and Mark Berman, “Accused El Paso gunman charged with federal hate crimes,” Washington Post, February 6, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/accused-el-paso-gunman-charged-with-federal-hate-crimes/2020/02/06/5335db2a-b9ef-11e9-a091-6a96e67d9cce_story.html. He is being held without bond in El Paso County Jail.Cedar Attanasio, “El Paso mass shooting suspect pleads not guilty in 22 deaths,” Associated Press, October 10, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd473325d17429784e91a3c8c7b3909. On February 8, 2023, Crusius pleaded guilty to all 90 federal charges.Ashley Killough and Holly Yan, “Suspect in Texas Walmart massacre that left 23 dead in El Paso pleads guilty to 90 federal charges,” CNN, February 8, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/08/us/el-paso-shooting-suspect-patrick-crusius-federal-plea/index.html. On July 7, 2023, Crusius was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences.Morgan Lee and Paul J. Weber, “Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty,” Associated Press, July 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/el-paso-walmart-shooting-crusius-6e8b5f654d9c2b51e377c09bfdda9caf.
Crusius grew up in an upper middle class home in Allen, Texas.Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin And Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d. According to his LinkedIn page, Crusius described himself as not “really motivated to do anything more than what’s necessary to get by” and that he spent most of his day on the computer.Tim Arango, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner, “Minutes Before El Paso Killing, Hate-Filled Manifesto Appears Online,” New York Times, August 3, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/patrick-crusius-el-paso-shooter-manifesto.html. According to reports, Crusius was unemployed and recently moved out of his grandparents’ house at the time of the shooting.Christina Maxouris, Nicole Chavez, Eric Levenson and Amir Vera, “El Paso vigils bring together a city in mourning after mass shooting,” CNN, August 5, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/05/us/el-paso-shooting-monday/index.html.
On August 3, 2019, Crusius drove 10 hours from his home in Allen to El Paso, Texas, where he walked into a Walmart Supercenter. According to reports, he opened fire in the store’s parking lot prior to entering the store. The attack killed 22 and wounded more than 20 others. Witnesses claim Crusius went aisle by aisle throughout the packed store.Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin and Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d. First responders arrived within six minutes the attack. Among the casualties, 13 were U.S. citizens and seven were Mexican nationals.Tara Law and Josiah Bates, “El Paso Shooting Suspect Told Police He Was Targeting 'Mexicans.' Here's What to Know About the Case,” Time, August 9, 2019, https://time.com/5643110/el-paso-texas-mall-shooting/. Shortly after the shooting, Crusius fled the scene in his car and was stopped at an intersection, where he identified himself as the shooter and surrendered to El Paso authorities.“The Latest: Cops: El Paso shooter surrendered with hands up,” Associated Press, March 17, 2020, https://apnews.com/fb9da3b70601417ab9c93dd5e69005f0.
Minutes before the attack, Crusius posted a manifesto on 8chan’s politically incorrect board, an online message board known for attracting far right and neo-Nazi users, which was filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric.Erin Ailworth, Georgia Wells and Ian Lovett, “Lost in Life, El Paso Suspect Found a Dark World Online,” Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/lost-in-life-el-paso-suspect-found-a-dark-world-online-11565308783. Entitled “The Inconvenient Truth,” the manifesto detailed a plan to separate America into territories by race and invoked a white supremacy theory known as the “Great Replacement,” which claims white people are being replaced by foreigners.Yasmeen Abutaleb, “What’s inside the hate-filled manifesto linked to the alleged El Paso shooter,” Washington Post, August 4, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/04/whats-inside-hate-filled-manifesto-linked-el-paso-shooter/. The manifesto also drew direct inspiration from the Christchurch shootings at two different New Zealand mosques in March of 2019.Tim Arango, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner, “Minutes Before El Paso Killing, Hate-Filled Manifesto Appears Online,” New York Times, August 3, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/patrick-crusius-el-paso-shooter-manifesto.html. In response to the Christchurch shootings, Crusius stated, “In general, I support the Christchurch shooter and his manifesto. This attack is a response to the Hispanic Invasion of Texas.”Tim Arango, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner, “Minutes Before El Paso Killing, Hate-Filled Manifesto Appears Online,” New York Times, August 3, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/patrick-crusius-el-paso-shooter-manifesto.html.
Additionally, Crusius wrote that he hoped to kill as many Hispanic people as possible, claiming they were replacing native-born Americans and taking away job opportunities.Elizabeth Findell, “Accused El Paso Shooter Patrick Crusius Pleads Not Guilty,” Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/accused-el-paso-shooter-patrick-crusius-pleads-not-guilty-11570739840.; Erin Ailworth, “El Paso Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Walmart Shooter,” Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/el-paso-prosecutors-to-seek-death-penalty-for-walmart-shooter-11568326013?mod=article_inline. He also claimed that automation will greatly reduce job opportunities for low-skilled Americans as corporations and businesses often prefer hiring immigrants who take on jobs for lower pay. He further chastised the government for environmental degradation which he believes can be counteracted if the United States had less people to consume resources.Yasmeen Abutaleb, “What’s inside the hate-filled manifesto linked to the alleged El Paso shooter,” Washington Post, August 4, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/04/whats-inside-hate-filled-manifesto-linked-el-paso-shooter/.
It is suspected that he targeted the shopping complex in El Paso because it is only five miles from the U.S.-Mexico border and the city has become a fixture in national dialogues concerning immigration.Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin And Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d. Additionally, he wrote that he sought to attack “low-security” targets as a way to “fight to reclaim my country from destruction.”Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin And Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d.; Christina Maxouris, Nicole Chavez, Eric Levenson and Amir Vera, “El Paso vigils bring together a city in mourning after mass shooting,” CNN, August 5, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/05/us/el-paso-shooting-monday/index.html. According to federal prosecutors, Crusius carried out the attack as a way to scare Latinos into leaving the U.S.Cedar Attanasio, “Man charged in Walmart shooting appears in federal court,” Associated Press, February 12, 2020, https://apnews.com/b89bef3524360a94909945a0d3421db2.
According to law enforcement officials, Crusius would sporadically post online, using platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to espouse xenophobic views. Crusius told investigators that he developed his extremist views by doing research online and by reading other manifestos posted on 8chan. Crusius’s family was unaware of his radicalization, however, when his mother learned that Crusius purchased an AK-style rifle, she called Allen police and spoke to a safety-resource officer who ultimately told her that her son was legally allowed to own a gun.Erin Ailworth, Georgia Wells and Ian Lovett, “Lost in Life, El Paso Suspect Found a Dark World Online,” Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2020, https://www.wsj.com/articles/lost-in-life-el-paso-suspect-found-a-dark-world-online-11565308783.
On September 12, 2019, a local grand jury in El Paso indicted Crusius on capital murder charges, of which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Crusius. A month later on October 10, Crusius pled not guilty to capital murder charges in state court.Cedar Attanasio, “El Paso mass shooting suspect pleads not guilty in 22 deaths,” Associated Press, October 10, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd473325d17429784e91a3c8c7b3909.
Several months later, on February 6, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Crusius with over 90 charges including federal hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the murder of 22 people and the attempted murder of 23 others.“Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes and Firearm Offenses Related to August 3, 2019, Mass-Shooting in El Paso,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-and-firearm-offenses-related-august-3-2019-mass. On February 12, 2020, Crusius appeared in a federal court in El Paso, where he entered a not guilty plea.Cedar Attanasio, “Man charged in Walmart shooting appears in federal court,” Associated Press, February 12, 2020, https://apnews.com/b89bef3524360a94909945a0d3421db2. Following the death of a hospitalized shooting victim in July 2020, a federal grand jury issued a superseding 90-count indictment against Crusius. Crusius was charged with 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a violent crime, 22 counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime. The charges carry a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.“Federal Grand Jury in El Paso Returns Superseding Indictment against Patrick Crusius,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 9, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/federal-grand-jury-el-paso-returns-superseding-indictment-against-patrick-crusius.
The U.S. government stated it would not seek the death penalty in its case against Crusius on January 17, 2023.Ashley Killough, “US government won’t seek death penalty for accused Walmart shooter,” CNN, January 17, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/17/us/el-paso-walmart-patrick-crusius-no-federal-death-penalty/index.html. Crusius pleaded guilty to all 90 federal charges as part of a plea agreement on February 8, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution recommended 90 consecutive life sentences.Ashley Killough and Holly Yan, “Suspect in Texas Walmart massacre that left 23 dead in El Paso pleads guilty to 90 federal charges,” CNN, February 8, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/08/us/el-paso-shooting-suspect-patrick-crusius-federal-plea/index.html. On July 7, 2023, Crusius was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences. U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama recommended Crusius serve the sentences at a maximum-security prison in Colorado. Though federal prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty, Crusius’s Texas state trial could still result in the punishment. That trial remained unscheduled as of the time of Crusius’s federal sentencing.Morgan Lee and Paul J. Weber, “Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty,” Associated Press, July 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/el-paso-walmart-shooting-crusius-6e8b5f654d9c2b51e377c09bfdda9caf.
Hashem Abedi is the younger brother of Salman Abedi, who killed 22 and wounded hundreds more in a May 22, 2017, attack on England’s Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert. On March 17, 2020, Hashem Abedi was convicted in London of aiding his brother in preparing for the attack. According to Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill, Abedi “encouraged and helped his brother” and “has blood on his hands even if he didn’t detonate the bomb.”“Manchester Arena bombing: Hashem Abedi guilty of 22 murders,” BBC News, March 17, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51926162; “A man who conspired with his brother to carry out a terror attack that killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena has been convicted,” Greater Manchester Police, March 17, 2020, https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2020/march/a-man-who-conspired-with-his-brother-to-carry-out-a-terror-attack-that-killed-22-people-at-the-manchester-arena-has-been-jailed/. Abedi was sentenced to a minimum of 55 years in prison.Sylvia Hui, “Bomber’s brother gets 55 years for Manchester concert attack,” Associated Press, August 20, 2020, https://apnews.com/3c0994f1bbf1644e36278a4ede45dab4.
Abedi is a Manchester-born citizen of the United Kingdom of Libyan descent. His father, Ramadan Belgasem Abedi, worked for the security forces of deceased Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The elder Abedi and his family fled Libya in 1991 and moved to Great Britain between 1992 and 1993. Hashem Abedi and his older brother Salman were born in England.“Timeline Shows Manchester Bomber’s Family’s Deep Ties to Libya,” New York Times, May 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/world/europe/salman-abedi-britain-manchester-bomber-family-libya.html.
Abedi’s radicalization can be partly attributed to behavior among family and friends. Police sources told Manchester media that the Abedis had to have known Hashem and Salman were radicalizing.John Scheerhut, “Brothers in evil: How Hashem Abedi helped his suicide bomber sibling commit Manchester’s worst ever terror attack - and could have struck again,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), March 17, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/brothers-evil-how-hashem-abedi-17939444. Libyan counterterrorism officials who interrogated Hashem Abedi claimed he was radicalized in approximately 2015 while he was living in Manchester with his family.“Manchester bomber’s brother knew of plans: Libya official,” Associated Press, June 8, 2017, https://apnews.com/8c45b23193ff40269e14a3718656fe30. Ramadan Abedi traveled to Tunisia in 2011 to aid the revolution in neighboring Libya against Gaddafi. Hashem and Salman Abedi visited their father there during school holidays. In September 2012, Ramadan Abedi posted a picture to Facebook of then-15-year-old Hashem holding a machine gun. The caption read, “Hashem the lion… training.”“Timeline Shows Manchester Bomber’s Family’s Deep Ties to Libya,” New York Times, May 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/world/europe/salman-abedi-britain-manchester-bomber-family-libya.html. ISIS recruiter Raphael Hostey was also reportedly a friend of Salman Abedi’s, while Ramadan Abedi wrote a 2013 Facebook post sympathizing with al-Qaeda operative Abu Anas al-Libi. Another friend of Salman’s, Abdal Raouf Abdallah, was convicted of terror charges in the United Kingdom in May 2016.“Timeline Shows Manchester Bomber’s Family’s Deep Ties to Libya,” New York Times, May 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/world/europe/salman-abedi-britain-manchester-bomber-family-libya.html.
Hashem Abedi attended Burnage High School for Boys in Manchester. In 2011, the family returned to Libya following the death of Gaddafi. They returned to Manchester in 2013 as Libya descended into civil war. Ramadan returned to Libya soon after. Hashem and Salman Abedi visited him there during the summer of 2014. That August, British forces rescued the Abedi brothers along with more than 100 other British nationals trapped in Libya during the fighting.John Scheerhut, “Brothers in evil: How Hashem Abedi helped his suicide bomber sibling commit Manchester’s worst ever terror attack - and could have struck again,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), March 17, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/brothers-evil-how-hashem-abedi-17939444.
The Abedi brothers formed a social circle with other Libyan students at their school. In August 2015, the boys were reportedly gathered in the Abedi family home with their friends and discussed support for ISIS. According to one of the boys present at that gathering, both Abedi brothers showed sympathy for ISIS. Throughout 2015, both Abedis began to dress in traditional Islamic garb and become more religious. Nonetheless, Hashem Abedi reportedly attended parties and took drugs. This behavior continued while they visited their father in Libya as well.John Scheerhut, “Brothers in evil: How Hashem Abedi helped his suicide bomber sibling commit Manchester’s worst ever terror attack - and could have struck again,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), March 17, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/brothers-evil-how-hashem-abedi-17939444.
In 2016, Hashem Abedi traveled to Germany and Amsterdam, where he reportedly met with an individual once suspected of being an al-Qaeda fundraiser in Libya. That March, Abedi dropped out of university and took jobs as a delivery driver. He reportedly would keep change that he was supposed to give to customers. Abedi also received training in electrical installation from Manchester College.John Scheerhut, “Brothers in evil: How Hashem Abedi helped his suicide bomber sibling commit Manchester’s worst ever terror attack - and could have struck again,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), March 17, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/brothers-evil-how-hashem-abedi-17939444. Hashem and Salman Abedi returned to Libya in May 2016 on instructions from their father.“Timeline Shows Manchester Bomber’s Family’s Deep Ties to Libya,” New York Times, May 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/world/europe/salman-abedi-britain-manchester-bomber-family-libya.html. Abedi’s parents returned to Manchester in April 2017.John Scheerhut, “Brothers in evil: How Hashem Abedi helped his suicide bomber sibling commit Manchester’s worst ever terror attack - and could have struck again,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), March 17, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/brothers-evil-how-hashem-abedi-17939444.
By January 2017, the Abedi brothers had returned to Manchester. Between January and April of that year, according to prosecutors, Hashem Abedi built detonator tubes for his brother’s explosives, purchased chemicals, and bought a car for his brother in which to store the explosives.“Manchester Arena attack: Bomber's brother appears in court,” BBC News, BBC News, July 18, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-49029276. Abedi admitted to asking others to buy sulfuric acid, which he said he brother had told him was for a car battery for his family in Libya. Abedi also admitted to buying nails and screws at a B&Q store in Stockport on March 26, 2017, but he claimed to be unaware those materials would be used as shrapnel in his brother’s explosives. Abedi said his brother had told him the materials were “to do the shed up.”“Manchester Arena attack sibling ‘would have reported plot,’” BBC News, February 7, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51416080. Police found Abedi’s fingerprints on materials in the Manchester apartment where the brothers assembled the bomb.John Scheerhut, “Brothers in evil: How Hashem Abedi helped his suicide bomber sibling commit Manchester’s worst ever terror attack - and could have struck again,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), March 17, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/brothers-evil-how-hashem-abedi-17939444.
On May 22, 2017, Salman Abedi detonated his bomb in the foyer of the Manchester Arena around 10:30 p.m. local time, just as crowds began to leave a performance by singer Ariana Grande, killing 22 people in addition to himself and physically wounding 264 others.Katrin Bennhold, Steven Castle and Declan Walsh, “‘Forgive Me’: Manchester Bomber’s Tangled Path of Conflict and Rebellion,” New York Times, May 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/world/europe/manchester-bombing-salman-abedi-ramadan-abedi.html; “Manchester attack: What we know so far,” BBC News, June 12, 2017, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-40008389; Beth Abbit, “The number of people injured in Manchester Arena attack rises to 250,” Manchester Evening News (Chadderton), June 22, 2017, http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/number-people-injured-manchester-arena-13223904. Abedi had packed the explosive in a metal container that he likely concealed in a small backpack that he was carrying, and used nuts and screws as makeshift shrapnel.C.J. Chivers, “Found at the Scene in Manchester: Shrapnel, a Backpack and a Battery,” New York Times, May 24, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/24/world/europe/manchester-arena-bomb-materials-photos.html. According to authorities, the bomb was “designed to kill and maim indiscriminately the largest number of innocent people,” and had a battery more powerful than is normally used in vest- or backpack-style bombs.C.J. Chivers, “Found at the Scene in Manchester: Shrapnel, a Backpack and a Battery,” New York Times, May 24, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/24/world/europe/manchester-arena-bomb-materials-photos.html; Helen Pidd, “Manchester Arena bomb was designed to kill largest number of innocents,” Guardian (London), June 9, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/09/manchester-arena-bomb-designed-kill-largest-number-innocents. ISIS claimed responsibility the following day.Lizzie Dearden, “Manchester Arena attack: Isis claims responsibility for suicide bombing that killed at least 22 people,” Independent (London), May 23, 2017, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/manchester-arena-attack-isis-responsible-claim-suicide-bombing-islamic-state-ariana-grande-concert-a7751221.html.
Hashem Abedi was arrested in Libya by Libya’s Special Deterrence Force on May 23, 2017. The same day, his older brother Ismail was arrested in Manchester. The Special Deterrence Force detained Ramadan Abedi the following day.“A man who conspired with his brother to carry out a terror attack that killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena has been convicted,” Greater Manchester Police, March 17, 2020, https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2020/march/a-man-who-conspired-with-his-brother-to-carry-out-a-terror-attack-that-killed-22-people-at-the-manchester-arena-has-been-jailed/; “Timeline Shows Manchester Bomber’s Family’s Deep Ties to Libya,” New York Times, May 27, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/world/europe/salman-abedi-britain-manchester-bomber-family-libya.html. Hashem Abedi remained in captivity for two years, during which time he claimed he was kept in solitary confinement and tortured.“Manchester Arena attack: Bomber's brother appears in court,” BBC News, BBC News, July 18, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-49029276; “Manchester Arena attack sibling ‘would have reported plot,’” BBC News, February 7, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51416080. Abedi was extradited to the United Kingdom on July 17, 2019.“A man who conspired with his brother to carry out a terror attack that killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena has been convicted,” Greater Manchester Police, March 17, 2020, https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2020/march/a-man-who-conspired-with-his-brother-to-carry-out-a-terror-attack-that-killed-22-people-at-the-manchester-arena-has-been-jailed/. On August 14, he made a statement to police denying any knowledge of his brother’s plot. Abedi claimed if he had known, he would have told their mother and other family members in order to stop the bombing. In the statement, Abedi called himself a practicing Muslim with “no interest” in ISIS.“Manchester Arena attack sibling ‘would have reported plot,’” BBC News, February 7, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51416080.
Abedi’s trial began at London’s Old Bailey on February 3, 2020.“Brother of Manchester Arena bomber guilty of murder,” Crown Prosecution Service, March 17, 2020, https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/brother-manchester-arena-bomber-guilty-murder. On March 12, Abedi dismissed his legal team and refused to further participate in the trial.“Manchester Arena attack: Hashem Abedi gets rid of legal team,” BBC News, March 12, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51855677. Greater Manchester Police accused Abedi of possibly being the senior figure in the plot and encouraging Salman in the days before the attack. On March 17, Abedi was found “jointly responsible” for the attack and convicted on all charges. He faces life in prison.“Manchester Arena bombing: Hashem Abedi guilty of 22 murders,” BBC News, March 17, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51926162; “A man who conspired with his brother to carry out a terror attack that killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena has been convicted,” Greater Manchester Police, March 17, 2020, https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2020/march/a-man-who-conspired-with-his-brother-to-carry-out-a-terror-attack-that-killed-22-people-at-the-manchester-arena-has-been-jailed/. Abedi’s sentencing was scheduled for the following month on April 23 and April 24, but British authorities postponed Abedi’s sentencing in early April because of restrictions on travel and public gatherings stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.“Manchester Arena bombing: Hashem Abedi's murder sentencing hearing postponed,” BBC News, April 8, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-52216188.
On August 20, 2020, Abedi was sentenced to a minimum of 55 years in prison before he would become eligible for parole. According to Judge Jeremy Baker, Abedi played an integral role in the attack and would have received a life sentence but he was under 21 at the time of the bombing.Sylvia Hui, “Bomber’s brother gets 55 years for Manchester concert attack,” Associated Press, August 20, 2020, https://apnews.com/3c0994f1bbf1644e36278a4ede45dab4.
On September 6, 2020, a public inquiry as launched to investigate the motivation behind the March 2017 Manchester Arena attack. The inquiry, which was established on October 22, 2019, by U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel, is being held at Manchester Magistrates’ Court and is expected to last until spring 2021. Chaired by Sir John Saunders, the inquiry explores whether the attack could have been prevented, details of the security arrangements of the arena, emergency responses, and the radicalization of the Abedi brothers. At an inquiry hearing on September 29, Patrick Gibbs QC, who represents the British Transport Police, claimed that the Abedi brothers “did not act alone” and others who provided technical and financial help, as well as training and support to the brothers are still “at large.”“Manchester Arena Inquiry: Terror attack investigation opens,” BBC News, September 6, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-54025242; “Manchester Arena bombings: Attackers 'did not act alone', inquiry hears,” Sky News, September 29, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/manchester-arena-bombings-attackers-did-not-act-alone-inquiry-hears-12085470; “Public inquiries,” Institute for Government, May 21, 2018, https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/public-inquiries. While meeting with a public inquiry legal team on October 22, 2020, Abedi admitted that he played a “full and knowing part” in planning the Manchester attack. Abedi also admitted he and his brother carried out the attack on behalf of ISIS. The admission became public that December.Paul Britton, “LIVE: Manchester Arena bombing inquiry hears Hashem Abedi admitted ‘he played a full part’ in the planning of the attack,” Manchester Evening News, last updated December 7, 2020, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/live-manchester-arena-bombing-inquiry-19411777; Lizzie Dearden, “Manchester Arena bomber’s brother ‘admits terror attack was for Isis,’” Independent (London), December 9, 2020, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/manchester-arena-bombing-hashem-isis-inquiry-b1768849.html?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1804273_.
On March 2, 2023, the U.K. government published its third and final inquiry into the Manchester Arena attack. Inquiry chair Sir John Saunders concluded MI5 had the necessary intelligence but missed opportunities to stop Salman Abedi. The report determined “actionable intelligence” that might have prevented the attack could have been obtained if not for a failure by a security service officer to act quickly enough. According to the report, MI5 missed opportunities for further action upon Salman Abedi’s return to Manchester Airport from Libya four days before the attack, as well as intelligence that could have led to Abedi being followed to the car in which he stored his explosives before moving them to an apartment to assemble his bomb. In contrast to intelligence assessments that the Abedi brothers acted alone, Saunders also concluded they likely had accomplices who provided training and resources, though they may not have known the full details of the plot. The report also concluded it was not possible to determine who the accomplices may have been.“Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume 3: Radicalisation and Preventability,” Manchester Arena Inquiry, March 2023, 75-77, https://files.manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk/reports/2023/MAI-Final-PDF-Volume-3.pdf. Previous inquiries determined the Abedi brothers were not radicalized at the Didsbury Mosque in south Manchester where the family worshipped. Saunders agreed with that assessment but also concluded politicization did occur within the mosque, citing a “wilful [sic] blindness” to such activities due to “weak leadership.”“Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume 3: Radicalisation and Preventability,” Manchester Arena Inquiry, March 2023, 41, https://files.manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk/reports/2023/MAI-Final-PDF-Volume-3.pdf.
The report concluded the Abedi family had “significant responsibility” for the radicalization of the Abedi brothers. Saunders specifically held their father, Ramadan Abedi, mother, Samia Tabbal, and older brother Ismail Abedi responsible for influencing the Abedi brothers’ radical views. Saunders also concluded the two brothers likely fed off of each other’s radicalization and radicalized each other.“Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume 3: Radicalisation and Preventability,” Manchester Arena Inquiry, March 2023, 9, https://files.manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk/reports/2023/MAI-Final-PDF-Volume-3.pdf.
Previous inquiries determined that MI5 missed an opportunity to monitor and place travel restrictions on Salman Abedi upon his return from Libya, which could have averted the attack.“Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume 3: Radicalisation and Preventability,” Manchester Arena Inquiry, March 2023, 79-80, https://files.manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk/reports/2023/MAI-Final-PDF-Volume-3.pdf. Following the release of Saunders’s report, MI5 director-general Ken McCallum said he was “profoundly sorry” MI5 did not collect the necessary intelligence to avert the attack.“Manchester Arena inquiry: MI5 ‘profoundly sorry’ for not stopping attack,” BBC News, March 2, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-64815723.
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian right-wing extremist who on July 22, 2011, detonated a bomb in Oslo’s government center and immediately afterward carried out a mass shooting at a summer camp for children. The two attacks killed 77 people. He is currently serving a 21-year sentence in near-isolation in a prison near the city of Skien.Sean Rayment, “Modest boy who became a mass murderer,” Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2011, https://www.smh.com.au/national/modest-boy-who-became-a-mass-murderer-20110724-1hvh0.html.
Breivik had completed compulsory national service in his late teens, where after receiving military training, became skilled in shooting.Sean Rayment, “Modest boy who became a mass murderer,” Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2011, https://www.smh.com.au/national/modest-boy-who-became-a-mass-murderer-20110724-1hvh0.html. By 20, Breivik became a member of Fremskrittspartiet (The Progress Party), Norway’s largest far-right group, and became chairman of his local party. His association with the party ceased in 2007 after he stopped paying membership fees.Sean Rayment, “Modest boy who became a mass murderer,” Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2011, https://www.smh.com.au/national/modest-boy-who-became-a-mass-murderer-20110724-1hvh0.html.
Before 2011, Breivik was unknown to law enforcement as he only had minor traffic violations from over a decade prior under his name. According to those who knew him, these brushes with the law coincided with the time he began espousing far-right politics. The object of his hatred were Muslims, whom he believed were destroying Norwegian society.Sean Rayment, “Modest boy who became a mass murderer,” Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2011, https://www.smh.com.au/national/modest-boy-who-became-a-mass-murderer-20110724-1hvh0.html.
Breivik was trained in management but failed as a businessman. His failed business attempts included trying to enter the conflict diamond industry and selling fake degrees online. Often staying with his mother from 2006 until 2011, Breivik spent his days playing video games day and night, specifically the war simulation game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.Helen Pidd, “Anders Breivik 'trained' for shooting attacks by playing Call of Duty,” Guardian, April 19, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/19/anders-breivik-call-of-duty. However, at the time of his arrest, he was operating Breivik Geofarm in eastern Norway. The agricultural business provided Breivik access to nitrogen-based fertilizer, which is one of the main ingredients in a “fertilizer bomb.”Rachel Revesz, “Anders Breivik: Norwegian far-right mass murderer changes his name to Fjotolf Hansen,” Independent, June 11, 2017, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/anders-breivik-norway-terrorist-mass-murderer-changes-name-fjotolf-hansen-a7784186.html. Additionally, Breivik had been a member at an Oslo shooting club, and had traveled throughout Europe to buy guns and ammunition, and other equipment.Helen Pidd, “Anders Behring Breivik spent years training and plotting for massacre,” Guardian, August 24, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/24/anders-behring-breivik-profile-oslo.
On July 22, 2011, Breivik parked a van outside Oslo’s parliament and detonated a bomb. The attack killed eight people and injured 15. He then put on a police uniform to sail to the island of Utøya, which was hosting the annual summer camp of the ruling Labor Party’s youth wing. Within the span of an hour and a half, Breivik shot scores of people, most of whom were teenagers. The attack killed 69 people.Elisa Mala and J. David Goodman, “At Least 80 Dead in Norway Shooting,” New York Times, July 22, 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/world/europe/23oslo.html.
After the shooting, police apprehended Breivik and later recovered explosives on the island. Following an investigation of Breivik, Norwegian officials concluded Breivik had “some political traits directed toward the right, and anti-Muslim views.”Elisa Mala and J. David Goodman, “At Least 80 Dead in Norway Shooting,” New York Times, July 22, 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/world/europe/23oslo.html. Before carrying out the attacks, Breivik disseminated a 1,500-page manifesto signed “Andrew Berwick.” Entitled “2083 – A European Declaration of Independence,” Breivik’s manifesto consisted of advice to fellow far-right terrorists regarding physical training, weapons, and bomb-making. In the manifesto, he also spoke of the Knights Templar (KT), a network of anti-Islamists he claimed to have co-founded in London in 2012.Helen Pidd, “Anders Behring Breivik attacks inspired by Serbian nationalists, court hears,” Guardian, April 18, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/18/anders-behring-breivik-serb-nationalists. Aside from these sections written by Breivik, the majority of the manifesto is a compilation of texts from American far-right websites.Dr. Arun Kundnani, “The Anti-Islamist: Anders Behring Breivik’s Manifesto,” International Center for Counter Terrorism, April 23, 2012, https://icct.nl/publication/the-anti-islamist-anders-behring-breiviks-manifesto/.
Breivik’s trial began on April 16, 2012, where he “acknowledged” his acts, but did not show any remorse, as he believed he was acting in “self-defense” to protect Norway from Islamic immigration.Mark Lewis and Alan Cowell, “Norwegian Man Claims Self-Defense in Killings,” New York Times, April 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/world/europe/trial-of-anders-behring-breivik-opens-in-norway.html. While standing trial, Breivik continued to openly express his anti-Muslim, anti-multicultural views.Mark Lewis and Sarah Lyall, “Norway Mass Killer Gets the Maximum: 21 Years,” August 24, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-murder-trial.html. Breivik claims that his only regret was that he “did not go further.”“Anders Breivik pleads not guilty at Norway murder trial,” BBC News, April 16, 2012, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17724535. Additionally, Breivik claimed that his attacks were inspired by “Serb nationalists” rather than Nazi right-wing extremism. Prosecutors also suggested throughout the trial that Breivik invented the KT which was corroborated when any individuals Breivik claimed to be associated with KT denied association or knowledge of the group.Mark Lewis and David Jolly, “Prosecutors Press Norwegian on Extremist Affiliations,” New York Times, April 18, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/19/world/europe/norway-anders-behring-breivik-trial-extremist-affiliations.html. Breivik also told the court he was inspired by al-Qaeda in planning his attacks, specifically their “media effect, what they have done wrong, what they have done right ... what it takes.” He also claimed to have been inspired by the Oklahoma City and World Trade Center bombings.“Norway's Breivik gives chilling account of gun massacre,” CNN, April 20, 2012, https://www.cnn.com/2012/04/20/world/europe/norway-breivik-trial/index.html.
On August 24, 2012, a Norwegian court convicted Breivik under charges of terrorism and premeditated murder. The court sentenced Breivik to 21 years in prison—the maximum sentence under Norwegian law. The sentence can be extended indefinitely.“Norway terror attacks: Anders Breivik changes his name to Fjotolf Hansen,” BBC News, June 10, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40233702. According to the judges who presided over the court, it is unlikely Breivik will ever be released from prison given his demeanor, testimony, and declaration that he would have liked to kill more people.Mark Lewis and Sarah Lyall, “Norway Mass Killer Gets the Maximum: 21 Years,” August 24, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-murder-trial.html.
In 2015, Breivik enrolled at the University of Oslo as an off-campus student to undertake an undergraduate degree in political science. On June 10, 2017, Breivik changed his name to Fjotolf Hansen, however, he did not disclose the meaning behind the name change.“Norway terror attacks: Anders Breivik changes his name to Fjotolf Hansen,” BBC News, June 10, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40233702.
On January 18, 2022, Breivik was brought to a parole hearing at Norway’s Skien prison before the three-judge Telemark District Court. Breivik entered the court carrying signs with racist slogans, including “Stop your genocide against our white nations.” Breivik also made a Nazi salute upon entering the courtroom. He then demanded the court treat him as a prisoner of war. After a two-week hearing, the court denied Breivik parole on February 1.Cora Engelbrecht and Henrik Pryser Libell, “Anders Behring Breivik, Killer in 2011 Norway Massacre, Is Denied Parole,” New York Times, February 1, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/01/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-norway-parole.html; Jan M. Olsen, “Norway court rejects mass killer Breivik’s parole request,” Associated Press, February 1, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/europe-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-norway-oslo-5fb32458504bc76e7405a22fdd31f896. According to the court’s ruling, Breivik “appeared devoid of empathy and compassion for the victims of the terror.”Cora Engelbrecht and Henrik Pryser Libell, “Anders Behring Breivik, Killer in 2011 Norway Massacre, Is Denied Parole,” New York Times, February 1, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/01/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-norway-parole.html. Further, the court ruled Breivik’s “psychiatric condition is unchanged” and thus “there is an obvious risk that he will fall back on the behavior that led up to” Breivik’s 2011 terrorist acts.Jan M. Olsen, “Norway court rejects mass killer Breivik’s parole request,” Associated Press, February 1, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/europe-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-norway-oslo-5fb32458504bc76e7405a22fdd31f896. The court found Breivik continued to pose the same risk to society as he did in 2011. Breivik’s attorney indicated they would appeal the decision.Cora Engelbrecht and Henrik Pryser Libell, “Anders Behring Breivik, Killer in 2011 Norway Massacre, Is Denied Parole,” New York Times, February 1, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/01/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-norway-parole.html.
Dylann Roof is an American white supremacist who carried out the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting on June 17, 2015. The attack killed nine.Alan Blinder and Kevin Sack, “Dylann Roof Found Guilty in Charleston Church Massacre,” New York Times, December 15, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/15/us/dylann-roof-trial.html. Roof claimed to FBI agents that the massacre was an attempt to bring back segregation and incite a race war. He is the first federal hate crime defendant to be sentenced to death and is currently awaiting execution at the maximum-security Terre Haute Federal Prison in Indiana while his attorneys appeal for a new trial.Avalon Zoppo, “Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Moved to Death Row in Terre Haute Federal Prison,” NBC News, April 22, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-moved-death-row-terre-haute-federal-n749671; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof takes church shooting appeal to US Supreme Court,” Associated Press, March 2, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-religion-shootings-south-carolina-charleston-7b89694504f9fc6ab9521592ea7c4ad6.
According to Roof, he had an epiphany and became radicalized after learning about the killing of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager shot by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in 2012.Keith O'Shea, Darran Simon and Holly Yan, “Dylann Roof's racist rants read in court,” CNN, December 14, 2016, https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/us/dylann-roof-murder-trial/index.html. Although Roof did not belong to any hate groups, Roof was an active consumer of racist material online and had a website called “The Last Rhodesian.” The site was filled with stereotypes and vitriolic sentiments against black, Jewish, and Hispanic people.Mark Berman, “Dylann Roof, accused Charleston church gunman, indicted on federal hate crime charges,” Washington Post, July 22, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/22/dylann-roof-accused-charleston-church-gunman-has-been-indicted-on-federal-hate-crime-charges/. Photos on the site showcased Roof holding a .45-caliber Glock pistol and a Confederate flag. Other photos featured Roof wearing a jacket with flags of apartheid-era South Africa.Ray Sanchez and Ed Payne, “Charleston church shooting: Who is Dylann Roof?,” CNN, December 16, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-suspect/index.html. Another image showed Roof standing on and burning an American flag.Ray Sanchez and Ed Payne, “Charleston church shooting: Who is Dylann Roof?,” CNN, December 16, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-suspect/index.html.
Roof’s former brushes with the law included two arrests in February and April of 2015. In the first incident, he was charged with misdemeanor drug possession for having suboxone, a Schedule III substance, on his person, and in the other incident, he was arrested on a trespassing charge. Both incidents took place at Columbiana Mall in Columbia, South Carolina.Eugene Volokh, “Dylann Roof apparently had not been arrested for a felony a month before he went through a gun purchase background check,” Washington Post, July 11, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/07/11/dylann-roof-apparently-had-not-been-arrested-for-a-felony-a-month-before-he-went-through-a-gun-purchase-background-check/.; Krishnadev Calamur, “What We Know So Far About Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof,” NPR, June 18, 2015, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/18/415506320/what-we-know-so-far-about-accused-church-gunman-dylann-roof.; Krishnadev Calamur, “What We Know So Far About Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof,” NPR, June 18, 2015, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/18/415506320/what-we-know-so-far-about-accused-church-gunman-dylann-roof.
On June 17, 2015, Roof opened fire during a bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, the South’s oldest black church.“Dylann Roof: white supremacist appeals death penalty on mental health grounds,” Guardian, January 28, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/28/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-appeal. The attack killed nine people and injured one other. Roof immediately fled the scene, setting off an overnight manhunt.Nikita Stewart and Richard Pérez-Peña, “In Charleston, Raw Emotion at Hearing for Suspect in Church Shooting,” New York Times, June 19, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/us/charleston-shooting-dylann-storm-roof.html. The next day, a florist in North Carolina caught sight of Roof and tipped local police to his location. Roof was apprehended in Shelby, 200 miles away from the crime scene. He was then brought back to South Carolina to face his charges.“The Shootings in a Charleston Church,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/06/18/us/charleston-church-shooting-maps-and-suspect.html.
Roof confessed to investigators that his actions were premeditated and that he had scouted and researched churches in cities that would garner the most attention. He settled on Charleston because, according to his online manifesto which he published on his website 18 months before the massacre, that it is the “most historic city in my state.”Alan Blinder and Kevin Sack, “Dylann Roof Found Guilty in Charleston Church Massacre,” New York Times, December 15, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/15/us/dylann-roof-trial.html.
Roof’s trial began on June 19, 2015 in South Carolina. He was charged on nine counts including murder and criminal possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.Nikita Stewart and Richard Pérez-Peña, “In Charleston, Raw Emotion at Hearing for Suspect in Church Shooting,” New York Times, June 19, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/us/charleston-shooting-dylann-storm-roof.html. On July 22, 2015, a federal grand jury in South Carolina indicted Roof on 33 counts, including federal hate and firearm charges.Catherine E. Shoichet and Evan Perez, “Dylann Roof faces hate crime charges in Charleston shooting,” CNN, July 22, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/us/charleston-shooting-hate-crime-charges/index.html. Throughout his trial, Roof never showed remorse for his actions, saying, “I felt like I had to do it, and I still do feel like I had to do it.”Khushbu Shah and Eliott C. McLaughlin, “Victim's dad warns Dylann Roof: 'Your creator ... he's coming for you',” CNN, January 11, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/11/us/dylann-roof-sentencing/index.html.
On January 10, 2017, a federal jury in Charleston sentenced Roof to death on 18 capital counts, including nine counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to his hate crimes and obstruction of religious exercise.Jon Schuppe and Jamie Morrison, “Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Charleston Church Massacre,” NBC News, January 10, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-sentenced-death-charleston-church-massacre-n705376.; “Federal Jury Sentences Dylann Storm Roof to Death,” United States Department of Justice, January 10, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/federal-jury-sentences-dylann-storm-roof-death. On April 22, 2017, Roof was transferred to death row at Terre Haute Federal Prison in Indiana. The facility houses male inmates who are awaiting execution and are put to death by lethal injection.Avalon Zoppo, “Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Moved to Death Row in Terre Haute Federal Prison,” NBC News, April 22, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-moved-death-row-terre-haute-federal-n749671.
On January 29, 2020, Roof appealed his federal convictions and death sentence, claiming he was mentally ill when he represented himself in former trials. Roof’s lawyers claimed that U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel should not have allowed Roof to represent himself because he had been diagnosed with “schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, autism, anxiety, and depression” and was mentally unfit to defend himself. Despite his lawyers’ claims, a federal judge deemed Roof mentally competent enough for the trial to move forward.Denise Lavoie, “White Supremacist Dylann Roof Appeals Death Penalty in South Carolina Church Massacre,” January 29, 2020, Time, https://time.com/5773439/dylan-roof-appeals-death-penalty/.; Katie Shepherd, “Dylann Roof’s lawyers appeal death sentence for Charleston church massacre, arguing the trial was ‘tainted’ by mental health issues,” Washington Post, January 29, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/01/29/roof-charleston-appeal/.
Roof’s attorneys have continued to file appeals and request a new trial, arguing Roof should not have been allowed to represent himself during the initial trial. On May 23, 2021, Roof appealed his case before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Richmond, Virginia. As the 4th Circuit includes South Carolina, all the judges from the 4th Circuit recused themselves from the case and a three-judge panel from other appellate circuits heard the case instead.Meg Kinnard, “Charleston church shooter making appellate arguments,” Associated press, May 23, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-donald-trump-charleston-religion-shootings-d59bf47614071023aec651017cae557e; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof asks judges to reconsider recusal from his case,” Associated Press, October 4, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-south-carolina-courts-religion-3ced0fe5c2482dbb12d0aeea121d2fcd. Roof’s attorney argued he should have been ruled incompetent to stand trial. On August 25, 2021, the 4th Circuit upheld Roof’s conviction and death sentence. According to the ruling, “Dylann Roof murdered African Americans at their church, during their Bible-study and worship. They had welcomed him. He slaughtered them. He did so with the express intent of terrorizing not just his immediate victims at the historically important Mother Emanuel Church, but as many similar people as would hear of the mass murder.”Meg Kinnard and Denise Lavoie, “Court upholds death sentence for church shooter Dylann Roof,” Associated Press, August 25, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-389bcc56019f268cb1056e37a517bd6c. Roof’s attorneys continued their appeal process on September 27, 2021, when they requested the 4th Circuit grant a new hearing, as well as designate a court of substitute judges from other circuits to consider the case. The court rejected the request, writing it “declines to take the unprecedented step” of seeking a full substitute court to consider Roof’s request for a new appellate hearing.Meg Kinnard, “Court denies Dylann Roof’s request for new appellate hearing,” Associated Press, September 28, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-courts-south-carolina-dylann-roof-3342281e341684a45ea584209329d540; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof asks judges to reconsider recusal from his case,” Associated Press, October 4, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-south-carolina-courts-religion-3ced0fe5c2482dbb12d0aeea121d2fcd.
Roof’s attorneys subsequently requested the judges who had recused themselves from the case reinstate themselves to hear Roof’s appeal.Meg Kinnard, “Court denies Dylann Roof’s request for new appellate hearing,” Associated Press, September 28, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-courts-south-carolina-dylann-roof-3342281e341684a45ea584209329d540; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof asks judges to reconsider recusal from his case,” Associated Press, October 4, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-south-carolina-courts-religion-3ced0fe5c2482dbb12d0aeea121d2fcd. The 4th Circuit rejected the request on October 12, 2021.Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof’s request to reconsider recusal is denied,” Associated Press, October 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-charleston-south-carolina-hate-crimes-religion-729e72e6ea83ebf6134f7f95bcd6a6f2. In late February 2022, Roof’s attorneys requested the U.S. Supreme Court rule on disagreements over mental illness-related evidence between capital defendants and their attorneys. Roof’s attorneys argued Roof’s decision to fire his legal team and represent himself during the sentencing phase of his trial prevented the introduction of key evidence that would have portrayed him as mentally ill. According to Roof’s attorneys, had he been tried in another jurisdiction, he would “not have been forced to self-represent at his capital trial to block his own attorneys from presenting evidence he abhorred.”Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof takes church shooting appeal to US Supreme Court,” Associated Press, March 2, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-religion-shootings-south-carolina-charleston-7b89694504f9fc6ab9521592ea7c4ad6.
On October 28, 2021, the Justice Department reached an $88 million settlement with the families of nine of Roof’s victims over a faulty background check that allowed Roof to purchase a gun after his February 2015 arrest. Settlements for the families of those killed ranged from $6 million to $7.5 million per claimant, while survivors’ settlements were $5 million per claimant. One of the attorneys involved in the negotiations told the Associated Press the 88 number is intentional because the association of the number with the white supremacist movement as 88 is representative of the letters HH, or Heil Hitler.Meg Kinnard, “US to pay $88M to families, victims of SC church massacre,” Associated Press, October 28, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-shootings-south-carolina-columbia-massacres-bf74d1568bec6199712b3423f71fda9a.
Robert Bowers is an American white nationalist who, on October 27, 2018, carried out the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting—the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in the United States. The shooting rampage killed 11 and wounded six others. Bowers was indicted by a federal court on charges including hate crimes, as well as the obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs and discharging a firearm.“Pennsylvania Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Tree Of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 31, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsylvania-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-tree-life-synagogue-shooting. On June 16, 2023, Bowers was convicted on 63 charges, including 22 counts of hate crimes resulting in death and the obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.Megan Guza, “Shooter found guilty of federal hate crimes in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 16, 2023, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/16/pittsburgh-tree-of-live-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-robert-bowers/stories/202306160050; Aditi Sangal, Matt Meyer, and Elise Hammond, “Gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting found guilty of all charges,” CNN, June 16, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-06-16-23/index.html. . On July 13, the jury ruled Bowers was eligible for the death penalty.Nicki Brown, “Jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter eligible to face the death penalty,” CNN, July 13, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-death/index.html. On August 3, a judge sentenced Bowers to death.“Judge formally sentences Robert Bowers to death in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting,” WTAE ABC 4, August 3, 2023, https://www.wtae.com/article/robert-bowers-death-sentence-tree-of-life/44723864.
Until the attack, Bowers was unknown to law enforcement. Bowers made at least six firearm purchases since 1996 and had an active gun license.Saeed Ahmed and Paul P. Murphy, “Here's what we know so far about Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect,” CNN, October 28, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/us/synagogue-attack-suspect-robert-bowers-profile/index.html. Based on public records, Bowers had no known employment.Erin Ailworth and James R. Hagerty, “Pittsburgh Shooting Suspect Described as Man Who Kept to Himself,” Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/pittsburgh-shooting-suspect-described-as-man-who-kept-to-himself-1540771482.
According to reports, Bowers was a staunch conservative who regularly listened to Jim Quinn’s The Warroom. Around 2000, Bowers volunteered as the show’s archivist, stockpiling episodes on the website www.onedingo.com. The show regularly espoused right-wing conspiracy theories including the belief that United Nations’ forces were poised to disarm U.S. citizens upon the creation of a global government.Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165.
Sometime in January 2018, Bowers opened an account on Gab, a social network that is popular among alt-right activists and white nationalists. Under the username onedingo, Bowers shared streams of anti-Jewish slurs and conspiracy theories.Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html. In October 2018, Bowers often reposted content on the Christian Identity movement which claims people of European descent are the “chosen people,” that Jews are the enemy, and people of other ethnic and racial backgrounds are meant to be exterminated or enslaved.Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165. Bowers allegedly posted one message stating, “Open you Eyes! It’s the filthy EVIL jews Bringing the Filthy EVIL Muslims into the Country!!”Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html. Bowers was vehemently anti-immigrant in his beliefs and a week before the attack, posted a message stating, “HIAS [Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society] likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can't sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in.”Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165.; Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?,” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html.
On October 27, 2018, Robert Bowers drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light Jewish congregations gathered together for Sabbath. The synagogue, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, did not have armed security guards. Bowers entered the building armed with multiple firearms, shouting “All Jews must die,” before opening fire.Kellie B. Gormly, Avi Selk, Joel Achenbach, Mark Berman and Alex Horton, “Suspect in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting charged with 29 counts in deaths of 11 people,” Washington Post, October 27, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-police-responding-active-shooting-squirrel-hill-area/. Bowers was injured by gunfire, although authorities state they were unclear whether those wounds were self-inflicted or whether the police had shot him. Bowers was taken to Allegheny General Hospital. He recovered from his wounds and made an initial court appearance on October 29, 2018.Campbell Robertson, Christopher Mele and Sabrina Tavernise, “11 Killed in Synagogue Massacre; Suspect Charged With 29 Counts,” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html.; Eli Rosenberg, “‘I’m Dr. Cohen’: The powerful humanity of the Jewish hospital staff that treated Robert Bowers,” Washington Post, October 30, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2018/10/30/im-dr-cohen-powerful-humanity-jewish-hospital-staff-that-treated-robert-bowers/.
Later that month on October 31, Bowers was indicted on 44 counts, including hate crimes, obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, and use of a firearm to commit murder. On November 1, Bowers pleaded not guilty.“Pennsylvania Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 31, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pennsylvania-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-tree-life-synagogue-shooting. On January 29, 2019, a federal grand jury charged Bowers with additional federal hate crimes and firearms offenses, bringing his total count to 63 charges.“Additional Charges Filed in Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 29, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/additional-charges-filed-tree-life-synagogue-shooting-0. On October 15, 2019, federal prosecutors rejected Bowers’ offer to plead guilty in return for life-without-parole. Federal prosecutors favored pursuing the death penalty for Bowers.“Prosecutors criticized for nixing plea offer from Pittsburgh synagogue shooter,” Times of Israel, October 16, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/prosecutors-criticized-for-nixing-plea-offer-from-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter/.
Bowers’ trial was delayed largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March 2020.A. Martinez and Oliver Morrison, “Trial begins for Robert Bowers, accused of killing 11 in a Pittsburgh synagogue,” NPR, May 31, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/05/31/1179030755/trial-begins-for-robert-bowers-accused-of-killing-11-in-a-pittsburgh-synagogue. In April 2023, Bowers’ defense team filed a motion accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of arbitrarily deciding when to pursue the death penalty. According to the motion, the Justice Department had not sought the death penalty in similar cases. On May 2, U.S. District Judge Robert Colville denied the defense’s motion and ruled the defense had failed to demonstrate how the government’s pursuit of the death penalty was arbitrary.Paula Reed Ward, “Judge denies motion to prohibit death penalty in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting case,” TribLIVE, May 2, 2023, https://triblive.com/local/judge-denies-motion-to-prohibit-death-penalty-in-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-case/. Bowers’ trial began on May 30.Eric Levenson and Sabrina Souza, “Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting trial opens with harrowing 911 call of victim’s last words,” CNN, May 30, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/30/us/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-shooting-trial/index.html. In her opening remarks, lead defense attorney Judy Clarke acknowledged Bowers had committed the attack and their goal was to prevent the imposition of the death penalty. Over 11 days, prosecutors called survivors and first-responders, who recounted their experiences for the jury. The defense team offered no evidence and called no witnesses of their own.Ron Kampeas, “Defense rests in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial without calling witnesses or presenting evidence,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 14, 2023, https://www.jta.org/2023/06/14/politics/defense-lawyers-in-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-will-not-call-witnesses-or-present-evidence. The jury returned from deliberations on June 16 and pronounced Bowers guilty of all 63 charges against him, including 22 charges of hate crimes resulting in death and the obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death. The conviction makes Bowers eligible for the death penalty.Megan Guza, “Shooter found guilty of federal hate crimes in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 16, 2023, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/16/pittsburgh-tree-of-live-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-robert-bowers/stories/202306160050; Aditi Sangal, Matt Meyer, and Elise Hammond, “Gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting found guilty of all charges,” CNN, June 16, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-06-16-23/index.html.
The court began the sentencing phase of Bowers’ trial on June 26, 2023. Prosecutors sought the death penalty, arguing Bowers intended to kill, used lethal force, and created a grave threat of death to others. The defense sought to forgo the death penalty in favor of life in prison by arguing Bowers suffered from a brain abnormality. The defense called medical experts to testify Bowers’ “delusional beliefs and psychotic delusions” stemmed from a brain impairment, resulting in his “distorted thinking.”“Defense begins presenting in penalty phase of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial,” WTAE ABC 4, June 27, 2023, https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-penalty-phase-bowers-defense/44355604#; Ron Kampeas, “Pittsburgh trial: Defense claims synagogue shooter has brain abnormalities,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 28, 2023, https://www.jta.org/2023/06/28/politics/pittsburgh-trial-defense-claims-shooter-had-brain-abnormalities.
During the sentencing phase, the defense and prosecution called witnesses who reviewed Bowers’ mental health history, including past psychiatric hospitalizations and Bowers’ belief in the threat of “white genocide.”Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 30, 2023, June 30, 2023, 1:25 p.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674831618677129230; Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 30, 2023, 1:28 p.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674832195016441873. According to testimony, Bowers considered his actions to be heroic and he believed his assault on Tree of Life deserved a parade.Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 29, 2023, 3:02 p.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674493608362143762. The defense called psychologist Dr. Richard Rogers, who previously evaluated Bowers in the fall of 2022 at the request of the defense team. According to further testimony from Rogers, Bowers had also looked at a Jewish community center in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill section, but decided on the synagogue because there was a police station too close to the JCC. According to Rogers, Bowers also considered targeting “high level” Jewish individuals.Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 29, 2023, 8:52 a.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674400537511428097; Sabrina Souza, “Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter considered other targets, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 30, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-friday/index.html.
Bowers had been voluntarily hospitalized multiple times when he was younger after multiple suicide attempts. His medical records indicated he had attempted suicide when he was 13. He also attempted to spray aerosol at his mother and ignite it. As a result, Bowers spent more than two weeks at McKeesport Hospital in Pennsylvania in September 1985. That October, he was transferred to Southwood Psychiatric Hospital. He was then committed to the Bradley Center psychiatric facility in Robinson for aggression, specifically physical, verbal, and fire-setting. He was discharged in June 1986 after 10 consecutive months in three separate institutions.Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html; Julia Zenkevich, “Psychologist says ‘psychotic’ Pittsburgh synagogue shooter also drove by JCC on morning of attack,” 90.5 WESA, June 29, 2023, https://www.wesa.fm/courts-justice/2023-06-29/synagogue-shooter-pittsburgh-mentally-ill. When he was 16, Bowers was involuntarily committed. He attempted suicide again at age 17. In 1990, he was committed for repeated suicide attempts. He was involuntarily committed again in 2004.Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html.
Describing Bowers’ history of schizophrenia, Rogers called Bowers “blatantly psychotic.”Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html. During Rogers’ previous interview with Bowers, Bowers blamed Jews for importing invaders who were killing thousands of white people. During the sentencing trial, Rogers testified that Bowers not only believed his actions at Tree of Life had been correct, but they had been necessary.Megan Guza, “‘This became his life’: Expert testifies that convicted synagogue shooter obsessed over killing Jewish people,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 30, 2023, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/29/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-mass-shooting-robert-bowers-death-penalty-trial/stories/202306290089. Neurologist Siddhartha Nadkarni testified Bowers suffered from schizophrenia and epilepsy. Nadharni previously interviewed Bowers in September 2021. The neurologist testified Bowers had made assertions during that interview referencing historic antisemitic tropes about people drinking blood and killing children. According to Nadkarni, Bowers has “delusional beliefs” and is unable to “process or interpret information correctly.”Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html. After hearing from 20 witnesses over two weeks, the jury decided on July 13 Bowers was eligible for the death penalty.Nicki Brown, “Jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter eligible to face the death penalty,” CNN, July 13, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-death/index.html The sentencing phase began on July 17. Jurors heard testimony from grieving families and survivors. On August 2, the jury recommended Bowers receive the death penalty.Peter Smith, “The Pittsburgh synagogue gunman will be sentenced to death for the nation’s worst antisemitic attack,” Associated Press, August 2, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-penalty-27e3b1a505cacdd674ee9b8a179aa1a8. On August 3, Judge Robert Colville officially sentenced Bowers to death.“Judge formally sentences Robert Bowers to death in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting,” WTAE ABC 4, August 3, 2023, https://www.wtae.com/article/robert-bowers-death-sentence-tree-of-life/44723864.
Brenton Tarrant is an Australian white supremacist who on March 15, 2019 stormed into two mosques and carried out the worst massacre in New Zealand’s history.“New Zealand PM: Dozens killed in 'terrorist' attack on mosques,” Al Jazeera, March 15, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/shooter-situation-zealand-mosque-attack-190315015927391.html. The two attacks killed over 50 people and wounded 40 others. Tarrant is currently detained at Auckland Prison, New Zealand’s only maximum-security unit. Tarrant is the first person to be charged under New Zealand’s Terrorist Suppression Act.Julia Hollingsworth and Hilary Whiteman, “Accused Christchurch mosque shooter pleads guilty to killing 51 people,” CNN, March 26, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/25/asia/christchurch-shooting-tarrant-plea-intl-hnk/index.html. On March 26, 2020, Tarrant pled guilty to 92 charges including murder, attempted murder, and engaging in a terrorist act.Blair Ensor and Sam Sherwood, “Australian pleads guilty over Christchurch mosque attacks,” Sydney Morning Herald, March 26, 2020, https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/christchurch-mosque-attack-australian-pleads-guilty-to-murder-attempted-murder-and-terrorism-20200326-p54e28.html. He was subsequently convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison.Charlotte Graham-McLay, “Christchurch Shooting Suspect Drops Bid to Move Trial to Auckland,” New York Times, October 2, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/world/australia/christchurch-suspect-trial.html; Emanuel Stoakes, “Suspect in New Zealand mosque shootings unexpectedly pleads guilty to 51 murder charges,” Washington Post, March 26, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/suspect-in-new-zealand-mosque-shootings-unexpectedly-pleads-guilty-to-51-murder-charges/2020/03/26/08b0b6fc-6f01-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html; Damien Cave and Amanda Saxton, “New Zealand Gives Christchurch Killer a Record Sentence,” New York Times, last updated August 27, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/world/asia/christchurch-brenton-tarrant-sentenced.html.
Tarrant grew up in Grafton, New South Wales, Australia and worked as a personal trainer. Tarrant practiced using firearms at shooting ranges near his home.Nick O'Malley, Tim Barlass and Patrick Begley, “White-bred terrorist: the making of a killer,” Sydney Morning Herald, August 10, 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/national/white-bred-terrorist-the-making-of-a-killer-20190806-p52ee7.html. After the death of his father in 2010, Tarrant became active on white-nationalist message boards.David D. Kirkpatrick, “Massacre Suspect Traveled the World but Lived on the Internet,” New York Times, March 15, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/asia/new-zealand-shooting-brenton-tarrant.html. He became obsessed with terrorist attacks committed by Islamic extremists in 2016 and 2017 and planned his attack about two years before he chose his targets.Nick O'Malley, Tim Barlass and Patrick Begley, “White-bred terrorist: the making of a killer,” Sydney Morning Herald, August 10, 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/national/white-bred-terrorist-the-making-of-a-killer-20190806-p52ee7.html.
By Tarrant’s own account, he was radicalized during a one-month period during his travels in Europe in spring 2017. On April 7 of that year, an Uzbek asylum seeker drove a truck into a crowd in Stockholm, Sweden, killing five people. On May 7, the anti-immigrant French presidential candidate Marine le Pen was defeated by moderate Emmanuel Macron. In Tarrant’s own words, he found his “emotions swinging between fuming rage and suffocating despair at the indignity of the invasion of France,” referring to the immigrants he saw there.David D. Kirkpatrick, “Massacre Suspect Traveled the World but Lived on the Internet,” New York Times, March 15, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/asia/new-zealand-shooting-brenton-tarrant.html.
According to reports, Tarrant was financially linked to a number of far-right groups in Europe, including the French and Austrian branches of the Identitarian Movement. The Identitarian Movement is a nationalist movement that promotes the Great Replacement Theory, which states European culture will be overrun and replaced by migrants. Tarrant donated between 1,000 and 1,700 euros to each organization sometime in September 2017 and in early 2018.Emanuel Stoakes, Rick Noack and James McAuley, “Suspect in New Zealand mosque attacks appears in court via video,” Washington Post, April 4, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/suspect-in-new-zealand-mosque-attacks-to-face-full-sweep-of-charges/2019/04/04/9f0e4280-5608-11e9-aa83-504f086bf5d6_story.html.
On March 15, 2019, Tarrant arrived at the Al Noor Mosque and began shooting worshippers while livestreaming the attack on Facebook Live. Tarrant spent several minutes inside the mosque before returning to his vehicle to retrieve another weapon. He returned to the mosque to open fire again. He then returned to his car and fled the scene towards Linwood Islamic Center, a mosque about three miles away from Al Noor. Tarrant was unable to find the front door of the mosque and began shooting people outside and through a window. Despite attempts from a worshipper to distract Tarrant, the attacker entered the mosque and continued to open fire on the worshippers. After Tarrant fled the scene, his vehicle was eventually pursued and he was apprehended by a police unit. According to reports, Tarrant intended to target a third mosque. The total number of casualties in the two attacks numbered 50.Richard Perez-Pena, “Two New Zealand Mosques, a Hate-Filled Massacre Designed for Its Time,” New York Times, March 15, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/australia/new-zealand-mosque-shooting.html.; Rhiannon Hoyle, Rachel Pannett, Adrien Taylor and Rob Taylor, “Terror Attacks at New Zealand Mosques Leave 50 People Dead,” Wall Street Journal, March 15, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-zealand-police-respond-to-active-shooter-at-a-mosque-in-christchurch-11552618459. The video of the attack was first reported by a user 29 minutes after it was initially posted and 12 minutes after the live broadcast ended. The New Zealand police alerted Facebook of the video around 40 minutes after the broadcast ended, to which Facebook took the video down minutes later. The video was viewed over 4,000 times before it was removed.Arjun Kharpal, “Facebook says video of New Zealand mosque shootings was viewed 4,000 times before being removed,” CNBC, March 19, 2019, https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/19/facebook-new-zealand-mosque-shootings-video-viewed-4000-times-before-removal.html.; Niharika Mandhana and Rhiannon Hoyle, “Facebook Left Up Video of New Zealand Shootings for an Hour,” Wall Street Journal, March 21, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-our-ai-tools-failed-to-catch-new-zealand-attack-video-11553156141.
Prior to the attacks, Tarrant authored a manifesto entitled, “The Great Replacement.” He disseminated the manifesto to several media outlets and the Prime Minister’s office before carrying out the two attacks.David D. Kirkpatrick, “Massacre Suspect Traveled the World but Lived on the Internet,” New York Times, March 15, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/asia/new-zealand-shooting-brenton-tarrant.html. Tarrant wrote of his obsessions with racial purity, claiming the attack would “show the invaders that our lands will never be their lands.”Sarah Keoghan and Laura Chung, “From local gym trainer to mosque shooting: Alleged Christchurch shooter's upbringing in Grafton,” Sydney Morning Herald, March 15, 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/alleged-christchurch-gunman-identified-as-former-grafton-local-20190315-p514nm.html. He also wrote that he began planning the attack “roughly two years in advance,” and chose the final location three months prior to the attack.Sarah Keoghan and Laura Chung, “From local gym trainer to mosque shooting: Alleged Christchurch shooter's upbringing in Grafton,” Sydney Morning Herald, March 15, 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/alleged-christchurch-gunman-identified-as-former-grafton-local-20190315-p514nm.html. On March 12, 2018, Tarrant posted multiple memes and other images of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh on social media prior to the Christchurch attack.Candace Sutton, “Neighbours, associates of Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant say there was something ‘off’ about him,” News.com.au, March 17, 2019, https://www.news.com.au/world/pacific/neighbours-associates-of-brenton-tarrant-say-there-was-something-off-about-him/news-story/e76a6f40a2f21f121546bc469bf7e7b7.
On March 16, 2019, Tarrant appeared at the Christchurch District Court where he was charged with murder.“More Than a Dozen Victims in Critical Condition After New Zealand Shootings,” New York Times, March 16, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/world/asia/new-zealand-shooting.html?searchResultPosition=9. The case was later transferred to the Christchurch High Court. Tarrant was detained at Auckland’s Paremoremo Prison, New Zealand’s only maximum-security unit. On April 4, 2019, police announced that the total number of charges against Tarrant reached 89—50 for murder and 39 for attempted murder.Emanuel Stoakes, Rick Noack and James McAuley, “Suspect in New Zealand mosque attacks appears in court via video,” Washington Post, April 4, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/suspect-in-new-zealand-mosque-attacks-to-face-full-sweep-of-charges/2019/04/04/9f0e4280-5608-11e9-aa83-504f086bf5d6_story.html. On April 5, Tarrant was ordered by a judge to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he was able to stand trial.“Christchurch attacks: NZ suspect ordered to undergo mental health tests,” BBC News, April 5, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47822674. On May 21, New Zealand police filed an additional charge of engaging in a terrorist act against Tarrant.“Christchurch mosques attacker Tarrant charged with terrorism,” Al Jazeera, May 21, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/christchurch-mosque-attacker-tarrant-charged-terrorism-190521052529451.html. On June 14, 2019, Tarrant pleaded not guilty to engaging in a terrorist act. Accordingly, mental health assessments determined that Tarrant is mentally competent and that his case will move forward.“Christchurch attack: Brenton Tarrant pleads not guilty to all charges,” BBC News, June 14, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48631488.
New Zealand has invested significantly in Tarrant’s imprisonment. In August 2020, New Zealand media revealed that the prison system is investing an average of just under $4,932 per day on Tarrant, well above the average cost of $302 per day for a standard prisoner. According to estimates contained in September 2019 government documents obtained by media, two years of incarceration would cost taxpayers $3.6 million because of “increased security measures responding to the different needs and risks posed by the individual.”“Christchurch mosque shootings: Brenton Tarrant prison bill to cost taxpayers $3.6m - Cabinet papers,” New Zealand Herald, August 4, 2020, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12353361.
New Zealand corrections officials have acknowledged that their penal system and incarceration policies were not developed to address the heinous crimes committed by Tarrant. In August 2019, media revealed that Tarrant had been allowed to send letters from prison, despite regulations to limit his influence. One of those letters appeared on the online forum 4chan, popular with white supremacists. The six-page letter was addressed to a Russian admirer named “Alan” and warned of an upcoming “great conflict.”Nick Perry, “Alleged Christchurch gunman sends letter from prison cell,” Associated Press, August 14, 2019, https://apnews.com/6aede98cae6e45baa9417236acf2b0c9. New Zealand law allows prisoners to send and receive letters, but Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis called the letter’s publication a failure of the country’s policies and called for changes to address the caliber of Tarrant’s crimes.Nick Perry, “Alleged Christchurch gunman sends letter from prison cell,” Associated Press, August 14, 2019, https://apnews.com/6aede98cae6e45baa9417236acf2b0c9.
Tarrant’s original trial was set for May 4, 2020, but on September 12, 2019, his trial was pushed to June 2, 2020, in respect of Ramadan, the holy month of prayer and fasting for Muslims.Charlotte Graham-McLay, “Christchurch Shooting Suspect Drops Bid to Move Trial to Auckland,” New York Times, October 2, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/world/australia/christchurch-suspect-trial.html.
On March 26, 2020, Tarrant appeared via video-link at the High Court in Christchurch and entered a guilty plea. During the special hearing, which was only scheduled the day before, Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder, and a charge of engaging in a terrorist act.Blair Ensor and Sam Sherwood, “Australian pleads guilty over Christchurch mosque attacks,” Sydney Morning Herald, March 26, 2020, https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/christchurch-mosque-attack-australian-pleads-guilty-to-murder-attempted-murder-and-terrorism-20200326-p54e28.html. On August 27, 2020, Tarrant was sentenced to life in prison without parole.Damien Cave and Amanda Saxton, “New Zealand Gives Christchurch Killer a Record Sentence,” New York Times, last updated August 27, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/world/asia/christchurch-brenton-tarrant-sentenced.html.
On November 7, 2021, media sources reported that Tarrant was considering appealing his life sentence. According to Tarrant, his guilty plea following the attack was obtained under duress. Reportedly, while in New Zealand custody, Tarrant was “subject to inhuman or degrading treatment whilst on remand…[which] prevented a fair trial.”“New Zealand mosque shooter considers appealing life sentence,” Reuters, November 8, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-mosque-shooter-considers-appealing-life-sentence-2021-11-08/; Tess McClure, “Christchurch mosque shooter claims guilty plea obtained under duress, expected to appeal,” Guardian, November 7, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/08/christchurch-mosque-shooter-claims-guilty-plea-obtained-under-duress-expected-to-appeal. A year later, on November 8, 2022, Tarrant appealed his conviction and sentence, however, a hearing was not immediately set.Frances Mao, “Christchurch mass killer appeals against conviction and sentence,” BBC News, November 8, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63552011. He later applied for a judicial review of his prison conditions on April 19, 2023. Media reports did not include the exact conditions Tarrant sought to have reviewed, however. Tarrant is currently held at the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit within Auckland Prison.George Block, “Christchurch mosque attack terrorist seeking judicial review of his prison conditions,” New Zealand Herald (Auckland), April 19, 2023, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-mosque-attack-terrorist-seeking-judicial-review-of-his-prison-conditions/FA3GOQJVAFCFLMRSK2PRC64QNA/. As of mid-March 2024, further information on his appeal and review have not been reported.
On May 4, 2022, New Zealand Coroner Brigitte Windley—who took over Marshall’s 2021 inquest—announced the topics she would pursue in the inquest. The inquest would reportedly examine what role social media played in radicalizing Tarrant, if he acted alone, how he obtained a firearms license and if the method of procuring weapons could be directly linked to the attack, and how emergency services responded to the attack. In regard to Tarrant’s online activities, Windley stated she would focus on the period between 2014 and 2017, before he moved to New Zealand from Australia and began planning the attack.Charlotte Graham-McLay, “Christchurch attack inquiry to examine if Australian terrorist was radicalised online,” Guardian, May 4, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/05/christchurch-attack-inquiry-to-examine-if-australian-terrorist-was-radicalised-online; “Social media, gun licence NZ inquest focus,” 7 News, May 4, 2022, https://7news.com.au/news/crime/social-media-gun-licence-nz-inquest-focus-c-6684602. The inquest began on October 24, 2023, with Windley expecting to release some of her findings in 2024.Charlotte Graham-McLay, “Christchurch victims were left alone in mosque for 10 minutes amid chaos of attack, inquest hears,” Guardian (London), November 1, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/01/christchurch-victims-were-left-alone-in-mosque-for-10-minutes-amid-chaos-of-attack-inquest-hears.
Sudesh Amman was the British citizen who carried out the stabbing attack in Streatham, London, that wounded three people on February 2, 2020. ISIS claimed the attack the following day.“Islamic State group claims responsibility for south London attack,” France 24, February 3, 2020, https://www.france24.com/en/20200203-islamic-state-group-claims-assailant-south-london-attack-was-one-its-fighters-terrorism; “Streatham attacker named as Sudesh Amman,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351844. Amman had been released from prison 10 days earlier after serving half of a more-than-three-year sentence for terrorism offenses.Daniel De Simone, “Sudesh Amman: Who was the Streatham attacker?,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351885. The attack sparked national debate on the country’s early-release policies for convicted terrorists.Alan McGuinness, “Streatham attack: Emergency anti-terror law to be brought forward ‘as soon as possible,’” Sky News, February 4, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/streatham-attack-emergency-anti-terror-law-to-be-brought-forward-as-soon-as-possible-11925985.
Authorities have linked Amman to wanted propagandist Abdullah al-Faisal. Police found text messages attributed to Faisal on Amman’s phone at the time of his December 2018 arrest. According to a fellow inmate at London’s Belmarsh prison, Amman possessed a USB stick with Faisal’s lectures while was imprisoned between 2018 and 2020.Emma Yeomans, David Brown, Fariha Karim, and Duncan Gardham, “Streatham terror attacker devoted to ‘sheikh’ who inspired London Bridge killer,” The Times (London), February 5, 2010, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/streatham-terror-attacker-devoted-to-sheikh-who-inspired-london-bridge-killer-lpd5wplnt. Amman’s mother told the Guardian her son became more religious in prison and she believed he radicalized there.Caroline Davies and Simon Murphy, “Sudesh Amman: how did science student become Streatham jihadist?,” Guardian (London), February 3, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/03/sudesh-amman-how-did-science-student-become-streatham-jihadist.
Amman was the oldest of six boys. Amman’s parents separated when he was younger, and his father reportedly moved back to the family’s native Sri Lanka after meeting another woman.Sam Greenhill, “'When I grow up I'm going to be a terrorist': As a dope-smoking boy in the suburbs, Sudesh Amman fantasised about killing police and had an ISIS flag in his room... on Sunday he went on knife rampage (after a final mutton biryani from mum),” Daily Mail (London), February 3, 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7963185/Sudesh-Amman-fantasised-killing-police-Sunday-went-knife-rampage.html#comments. Amman graduated from Park High School in Stanmore, England, in 2016. He moved to Harrow, north London, with his mother and younger siblings in a rented house while studying math and science at the College of North West London. Amman attended the school from September 2017 to May 2018. His father lived abroad and reportedly rarely saw the family.Caroline Davies and Simon Murphy, “Sudesh Amman: how did science student become Streatham jihadist?,” Guardian (London), February 3, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/03/sudesh-amman-how-did-science-student-become-streatham-jihadist. According to police, Amman used the WhatsApp messenger application to indoctrinate his younger siblings in a group he called “La Familia.” Amman shared an al-Qaeda magazine and other propaganda in the group, which also featured pictures of Amman’s siblings posing like ISIS fighters. At one point, Amman declared in the chat “the Islamic state is here to stay.”Daniel De Simone, “Sudesh Amman: Who was the Streatham attacker?,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351885.
In addition to his family, Amman attempted to radicalize his girlfriend. Amman sent her beheading videos and encouraged her to kill her “kuffar” parents.Caroline Davies and Simon Murphy, “Sudesh Amman: how did science student become Streatham jihadist?,” Guardian (London), February 3, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/03/sudesh-amman-how-did-science-student-become-streatham-jihadist. At one point, he told his girlfriend that he had pledged allegiance to ISIS and wanted to carry out acid attacks. In one message seen by authorities, he told her to use a knife, Molotov cocktail, bombs, or a car to “attack the tourists, police and soldiers of taghut, or Western embassies in every country you are in this planet.”Daniel De Simone, “Sudesh Amman: Who was the Streatham attacker?,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351885. Amman also told her ISIS was the best thing to happen to Islam.“Teenager Sudesh Amman jailed for online terror videos,” BBC News, December 17, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-46592539.
In April 2018, Dutch blogger and extremism monitor Azazel van den Berg alerted British police about a user on the Telegram messenger service spreading concerning images, including one of a knife and firearms and the phrase “Armed and ready April 3.” Police identified Amman as the user responsible for the Telegram message.Daniel “De Simone, “Sudesh Amman: Who was the Streatham attacker?,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351885. Then 18-year-old Amman was arrested in north London in May 2018 on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack.“Update: Streatham High Road attack,” Metropolitan Police, February 3, 2020, http://news.met.police.uk/news/update-streatham-high-road-attack-393331. Police found an air gun, a black flag, and a combat knife at his home. Police also discovered almost 10 terabytes of terrorist propaganda and training manuals on Amman’s devices, including manuals on “Bloody Brazilian Knife Fighting” and “How To Make A Bomb In Your Kitchen.”“Streatham attacker named as Sudesh Amman,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351844; David Mercer, “Streatham terror attack: What we know about Sudesh Amman,” Sky News, February 7, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/streatham-terror-attack-what-we-know-about-sudesh-amman-11925200. Authorities also seized notebooks Amman kept with extremist thoughts. He wrote frequently about his fascination with knife attacks. In one entry on his life goals, he wrote he wanted to die a martyr and go to paradise.Caroline Davies and Simon Murphy, “Sudesh Amman: how did science student become Streatham jihadist?,” Guardian (London), February 3, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/03/sudesh-amman-how-did-science-student-become-streatham-jihadist.
Authorities did not pursue charges of an eminent attack but charged Amman with multiple counts of ownership and distribution of terrorist materials.“Streatham attacker named as Sudesh Amman,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351844; David Mercer, “Streatham terror attack: What we know about Sudesh Amman,” Sky News, February 7, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/streatham-terror-attack-what-we-know-about-sudesh-amman-11925200. In November 2018, Amman pleaded guilty to six charges of possessing documents containing terrorist information and seven charges of disseminating terrorist publications.“Streatham attacker named as Sudesh Amman,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351844; David Mercer, “Streatham terror attack: What we know about Sudesh Amman,” Sky News, February 7, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/streatham-terror-attack-what-we-know-about-sudesh-amman-11925200. On December 17, 2018, he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. Amman smiled and waved at the court’s public gallery during his sentencing.“Streatham attacker named as Sudesh Amman,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351844. During the sentencing, Judge Mark Lucraft QC described Amman as “someone with sincerely held and concerning ideological beliefs.”Caroline Davies and Simon Murphy, “Sudesh Amman: how did science student become Streatham jihadist?,” Guardian (London), February 3, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/03/sudesh-amman-how-did-science-student-become-streatham-jihadist.
Amman was released on January 23, 2020, due to British probation rules that allow for early release after the completion of half a sentence. He reportedly lived in a bail hostel in south London under government restrictions and surveillance. Amman was required to wear a GPS tag and was forbidden from visiting ports and airports. His Internet use was limited. He also forfeited his passport.Daniel De Simone, “Sudesh Amman: Who was the Streatham attacker?,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351885.
On February 2, 2020, Amman strapped a fake bomb to his body under his clothes and entered the Low Price Store in Streatham, London. He took a 10-inch knife off the shelf and left the store without paying as an employee tried to stop him. He removed the knife from its packaging and stabbed a woman in the back. He then stabbed a man outside the White Lion Pub down the street as police chased after him. Police shot him dead during the pursuit within 60 seconds of the start of the attack. A third passerby was wounded by shattered glass resulting from a police firearm. Explosives experts determined the bomb strapped to Amman was a hoax.“Streatham attacker named as Sudesh Amman,” BBC News, February 3, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51351844; David Mercer, “Streatham terror attack: What we know about Sudesh Amman,” Sky News, February 7, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/streatham-terror-attack-what-we-know-about-sudesh-amman-11925200; “Update: Streatham High Road attack,” Metropolitan Police, February 3, 2020, http://news.met.police.uk/news/update-streatham-high-road-attack-393331. According to one of the victims, Amman had forgotten to remove the plastic cover from the knife, which prevented further harm.Flora Thompson, Margaret Davis, David Hughes, and Ryan Merrifield, “Terrorist Sudesh Amman 'forgot to take cover off knife' before stabbing shopper, 36,” Mirror (London), February 5, 2020, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/terrorist-sudesh-amman-forgot-take-21432293. On February 3, ISIS released a statement through Telegram claiming Amman was a fighter for the jihadist group.“Islamic State group claims responsibility for south London attack,” France 24, February 3, 2020, https://www.france24.com/en/20200203-islamic-state-group-claims-assailant-south-london-attack-was-one-its-fighters-terrorism.
Currently, British law allows for convicts serving fixed-term sentences to be released halfway through the term and complete the remainder of the sentence on home arrest under specific conditions.“Leaving Prison,” Gov.UK, accessed December 5, 2019, https://www.gov.uk/leaving-prison. After Usman Khan killed two people in an attack near the London Bridge on November 29, 2019, British leaders questioned Khan’s early release and sought a review of 74 convicts who received early conditional releases.“Boris Johnson says 74 terror prisoners released early,” BBC News, December 1, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50618744. Propagandist Anjem Choudary was released in October 2018 with communications and travel restrictions. Officials called for an “urgent” review of Choudary’s conditions following the London Bridge attack.Robert Mendick, Martin Evans, and Charles Hymas, “Anjem Choudary’s licence under ‘urgent’ review in wake of London Bridge attack,” Telegraph (London), December 2, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/02/anjem-choudary-have-licence-conditions-reviewed-emerges-met/. After the Streatham attack, government officials began reviewing emergency legislation that would revise the early release procedures for convicted terrorists.Alan McGuinness, “Streatham attack: Emergency anti-terror law to be brought forward ‘as soon as possible,’” Sky News, February 4, 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/streatham-attack-emergency-anti-terror-law-to-be-brought-forward-as-soon-as-possible-11925985.
Domestic terrorist: Shot dead after stabbing and wounding two people in south London while wearing a fake bomb vest on February 2, 2020. A third person was wounded by shattered glass from a police firearm. Had been released from prison 10 days earlier after serving half of a three-year and four-month sentence for 13 separate offenses of possessing and distributing terrorist documents including publishing graphic terrorist videos online and stockpiling instructions on bomb making and knife attacks. ISIS claimed responsibility for the knife attack.
Police found text messages attributed to Faisal on Amman’s phone at the time of his December 2018 arrest. Possessed a USB stick with Faisal’s lectures while imprisoned.
Ahlam Ahmad al-Tamimi is one of the FBI’s most wanted female terrorists. She resides in Jordan where she fights against extradition to the United States for coordinating and directly aiding the August 9, 2001, Hamas suicide bombing of the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem that killed 15 people, including two Americans.Ben Lynfield, “Jordan turns down US extradition request for Sbarro terrorist,” Jerusalem Post, March 21, 2017, https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Jordan-turns-down-US-extradition-request-for-Sbarro-terrorist-484740. Tamimi was the first female member of Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.“Ahlam Mazen At-Tamimi,” Ezzedeen AL-Qassam Brigades - Information Office, accessed January 30, 2020, https://www.qassam.ps/prisoner-96-Ahlam_Mazen_At_Tamimi.html.
Tamimi was living in Nabi Salah, north of Ramallah, in the West Bank when the Palestinian uprising against Israel, the Second Intifada, began in 2000. Tamimi was attending Bir Zeit University and working part time as a journalist for Istiklal Television. Tamimi reached out to members of the Qassam Brigades and joined the organization in June 2001. On July 30, Tamimi placed a beer can containing an explosive device on the shelf of a supermarket in Jerusalem. The explosive caused damage but no injuries.“Ahlam Mazen At-Tamimi,” Ezzedeen AL-Qassam Brigades - Information Office, accessed January 30, 2020, https://www.qassam.ps/prisoner-96-Ahlam_Mazen_At_Tamimi.html; “Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrant,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 15, 2013, 2. Tamimi then helped Izz al-Din Shuheil al-Masri scout targets in Jerusalem for a Hamas bombing. On August 9, Tamimi drove Masri from the West Bank to the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem where he detonated explosives hidden in a guitar case, killing 15 people and wounding 130. Tamimi later said in a television interview that she chose Sbarro because of the large number of customers.Ben Lynfield, “Jordan turns down US extradition request for Sbarro terrorist,” Jerusalem Post, March 21, 2017, https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Jordan-turns-down-US-extradition-request-for-Sbarro-terrorist-484740; Frimet Roth, “Remembering the Sbarro Bombing Five Years On,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), August 11, 2006, https://www.haaretz.com/1.4861207.
Israeli authorities arrested Tamimi in September 2001 for aiding Masri. On June 22, 2003, Tamimi pleaded guilty in an Israeli court to multiple counts of murder.“Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrant,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 15, 2013, 3. The court sentenced her to 16 life sentences on October 23, 2003.“Individual Charged in Connection With 2001 Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem That Resulted in Death of Americans,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 14, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/individual-charged-connection-2001-terrorist-attack-jerusalem-resulted-death-americans; “Militant gets 16 life terms for Sbarro bombing,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), October 24, 2003, https://www.haaretz.com/1.4742868. Tamimi’s family told Israeli media that they were unaware of Tamimi’s militant activities before her arrest.Nida Tuma, “Sbarro bomber’s family hopes she will lead quiet life,” Jerusalem Post, October 17, 2011, https://www.jpost.com/National-News/Sbarro-bombers-family-hopes-she-will-lead-quiet-life; “Wedding on Hold: Palestine, Politics and Prison,” Al Jazeera, May 1, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2019/04/wedding-hold-palestine-politics-prison-190428110739199.html.
Tamimi was sent to Israel’s Hasharon Prison. In a March 2006 statement to Israel’s Ynet news website, Tamimi refused to recognize Israel’s existence and maintained she had no remorse for her actions.Raanan Ben-Zur, “Sbarro terrorist ‘not sorry,’” Ynetnews, March 27, 2006, https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3232591,00.html. While in prison, the Palestinian Authority (PA) paid more than $51,000 in benefits to Tamimi, according to Palestinian Media Watch. Masri’s family also received $53,689 in benefits from the PA.“Report: Terrorists behind Jerusalem pizza bombing received more than $910K,” Jewish News Syndicate, August 8, 2019, https://www.jns.org/report-terrorists-behind-jerusalem-pizza-bombing-received-more-than-910k/.
While in prison, Tamimi got engaged to her second-cousin Nizar Tamimi, who was serving a life sentence in the same prison for killing an Israeli settler in the West Bank.Nida Tuma, “Sbarro bomber’s family hopes she will lead quiet life,” Jerusalem Post, October 17, 2011, https://www.jpost.com/National-News/Sbarro-bombers-family-hopes-she-will-lead-quiet-life; “Wedding on Hold: Palestine, Politics and Prison,” Al Jazeera, May 1, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2019/04/wedding-hold-palestine-politics-prison-190428110739199.html. Tamimi was released on October 18, 2011, as part of a prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Tamimi was part of the first wave of the 1,026 prisoners released for Shalit’s freedom. Tamimi was deported to Jordan after her release and went to live with her family there.“Individual Charged in Connection With 2001 Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem That Resulted in Death of Americans,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 14, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/individual-charged-connection-2001-terrorist-attack-jerusalem-resulted-death-americans; Avi Issacharoff and Aimee Amiga, “Prisoners Deported Under Shalit Deal Arrive in Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Qatar,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), October 19, 2011, https://www.haaretz.com/1.5201410. Others freed in the swap include Walid Anajas, who was convicted for his involvement in the 2002 bombing of Jerusalem’s Moment Cafe that killed 12, and Nasser Yataima, who planned the 2002 Passover seder bombing of the Park Hotel in Netanya that killed 30.Uri Friedman, “The Most Notorious Names in the Shalit Prison Swap,” Foreign Policy, October 20, 2011, https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/20/the-most-notorious-names-in-the-shalit-prison-swap/. Nizar Tamimi was also released during the prisoner exchange and the two were later married.“Wedding on Hold: Palestine, Politics and Prison,” Al Jazeera, May 1, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2019/04/wedding-hold-palestine-politics-prison-190428110739199.html.
In Jordan, Tamimi resumed her work as a journalist. From 2012 to 2016, she hosted a talk show on the Hamas-affiliated Quds TV network about Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Tamimi also claimed that Israel’s Mossad clandestine service intended to assassinate her and others freed in the Shalit deal.Khaled Abu Toameh, “Female terrorist hosts talk show on Hamas TV,” Jerusalem Post, March 1, 2012, https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Female-terrorist-hosts-talk-show-on-Hamas-TV; Khaled Abu Toameh, “‘Sbarro terrorist: Israel hired mafia to kill me,’” Jerusalem Post, March 4, 2012, https://www.jpost.com/National-News/Sbarro-terrorist-Israel-hired-mafia-to-kill-me. Tamimi has expressed no remorse for her actions after the attack. She recalled in interviews her sense of joy in hearing about the rising number of casualties and said she would do it again.“Released Hamas Terrorist Ahlam Tamimi on Palestinian Public’s Delight at Suicide Bombings,” MEMRI, July 12, 2012, https://www.memri.org/tv/released-hamas-terrorist-ahlam-tamimi-palestinian-publics-delight-suicide-bombings; Khaled Abu Toameh, “Female terrorist hosts talk show on Hamas TV,” Jerusalem Post, March 1, 2012, https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Female-terrorist-hosts-talk-show-on-Hamas-TV.
The 15 victims of the Sbarro bombing included U.S. citizens Judith Greenbaum and Malki Roth. Four U.S. citizens were among the wounded.Spencer S. Hsu, “U. S. unseals charge against Jordanian woman in 2001 Jerusalem Sbarro bombing,” Washington Post, March 15, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/us-unseals-charge-against-jordanian-woman-in-2001-jerusalem-sbarro-bombing/2017/03/14/6b5a51f8-08f9-11e7-b77c-0047d15a24e0_story.html. The United States has sought to extradite Tamimi for her role in the murder of U.S. citizens, but the Jordanian government has thus far refused requests for her extradition. In 2012, more than 50 members of Congress joined with relatives of terrorism victims and pro-Israel groups to call on the Justice Department to prosecute Tamimi and others.Spencer S. Hsu, “U. S. unseals charge against Jordanian woman in 2001 Jerusalem Sbarro bombing,” Washington Post, March 15, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/us-unseals-charge-against-jordanian-woman-in-2001-jerusalem-sbarro-bombing/2017/03/14/6b5a51f8-08f9-11e7-b77c-0047d15a24e0_story.html. On July 15, 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice filed sealed criminal charges in the District of Columbia against Tamimi for conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against U.S. nationals outside the United States, resulting in death.“Most Wanted: Ahlam Ahmad al-Tamimi,” FBI, accessed January 22, 2020, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/ahlam-ahmad-al-tamimi. It was the first time the United States had charged a member of Hamas with crimes resulting in the death of Americans.Teresa Welsh, “DOJ charges Hamas member for 2001 Jerusalem attack that killed Americans,” Miami Herald, March 14, 2017, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article138527608.html. The Jordanian branch of Interpol arrested Tamimi in September 2016. She spent one night in prison before posting bail. She then began a legal fight against the U.S. extradition request.Ali Younes, “Ahlam al-Tamimi: ‘We only wanted freedom,’” Al Jazeera, March 23, 2017, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/ahlam-al-tamimi-wanted-freedom-170322100407282.html.
The Justice Department unsealed the indictment and an arrest warrant on March 14, 2017.“Individual Charged in Connection With 2001 Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem That Resulted in Death of Americans,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 14, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/individual-charged-connection-2001-terrorist-attack-jerusalem-resulted-death-americans. The U.S Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program also offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Tamimi’s arrest.“Most Wanted: Ahlam Ahmad al-Tamimi,” FBI, accessed January 22, 2020, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/ahlam-ahmad-al-tamimi. On March 20, 2017, the Jordanian Court of Cassation ruled that the Jordanian parliament never ratified the country’s 1995 extradition treaty with the United States and blocked Tamimi’s extradition.Ben Lynfield, “Jordan turns down US extradition request for Sbarro terrorist,” Jerusalem Post, March 21, 2017, https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Jordan-turns-down-US-extradition-request-for-Sbarro-terrorist-484740. As a result, Jordan’s Interpol branch removed Tamimi from its wanted list.Ali Younes, “Ahlam al-Tamimi: ‘We only wanted freedom,’” Al Jazeera, March 23, 2017, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/ahlam-al-tamimi-wanted-freedom-170322100407282.html.
The families of U.S. victims Greenbaum and Roth accused the U.S. government in 2018 of failing to maximize pressure on Jordan for Tamimi’s extradition.Rafael Medoff, “Despite reward for fugitive Palestinian terrorist, U.S. and Jordan remain slow to act,” Jewish News Syndicate, February 8, 2018, https://www.jns.org/despite-reward-for-fugitive-palestinian-terrorist-u-s-and-jordan-remain-slow-to-act/. In August 2019, U.S. Representatives Jerry Nadler and Doug Collins, respectively the Democratic chair and Republican ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the Justice Department requesting an update on efforts to extradite Tamimi.Amir Tibon, “Lawmakers Urge Trump to Push Jordan to Extradite Palestinian Terrorist,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), August 29, 2019, https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-top-congressmen-call-on-trump-to-push-for-the-extradition-of-ahlam-al-tamimi-1.7765784. In November 2019, the State Department issued a report declaring the validity of the U.S. extradition treaty with Jordan.“US rejects Jordan’s opposition to deport wanted terrorist,” Jewish News Syndicate, December 7, 2019, https://www.jns.org/us-rejects-jordans-opposition-to-deport-wanted-terrorist/. The following month, President Donald Trump signed the Omnibus Spending Bill, which threatens to sever financial aid to any country that ignores a U.S. extradition request of somebody indicted for a criminal offense that carries a life sentence.Sarah N. Stern, “A long-awaited holiday gift for victims of terror,” Jewish News Syndicate, December 27, 2019, https://www.jns.org/opinion/a-long-awaited-holiday-gift-for-victims-of-terror/.
Tamimi is still subject to arrest if she travels outside of Jordan. After the United States unsealed its indictment against her, Tamimi told Al Jazeera she was “shocked” that the government was pursuing her after so many years “for no obvious reasons.”Ali Younes, “Ahlam al-Tamimi: ‘We only wanted freedom,’” Al Jazeera, March 23, 2017, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/ahlam-al-tamimi-wanted-freedom-170322100407282.html. Tamimi blamed U.S. pro-Israel groups for pressuring the U.S. government to pursue her.Ali Younes, “Ahlam al-Tamimi: ‘We only wanted freedom,’” Al Jazeera, March 23, 2017, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/ahlam-al-tamimi-wanted-freedom-170322100407282.html. In a March 2019 interview with Al Jazeera, Tamimi said Jordan is protecting her. Tamimi also questioned why she is considered a terrorist when she is “part of a resistance movement that strives for liberation.”“Released Palestinian Terrorist Ahlam Tamimi, Who is on FBI Most Wanted List: Being in Jordan Gives Me Strength Because No Extradition Agreement with U.S.,” MEMRI, March 28, 2019, https://www.memri.org/tv/sbarro-pizzeria-terrorist-hamas-ahlam-tamimi-fbi-most-wanted-jordan-no-extradition-agreement-thankful. While Jordan continues to harbor Tamimi, the Hashemite kingdom announced on October 1, 2020, it had expelled Tamimi’s husband, Nizar Tamimi, to Qatar. Jordanian authorities gave no official reason for the deportation.Aaron Boxerman, “Jordan deports Sbarro bomber’s husband, also a convicted terrorist, to Qatar,” Times of Israel, October 13, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/jordan-deports-sbarro-bombers-husband-also-a-convicted-terrorist-to-qatar/.
On April 30, 2020, seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote a joint letter to Jordan’s ambassador to the United States, Dina Kawar, calling for Tamimi’s extradition. The representatives noted that Jordan had extradited fugitives to the United States in the past. They drew attention to the passage of sanctions legislation in December 2019 that would punish counties with diplomatic relations that refuse legitimate extradition requests. Signatories to the letter included U.S. Representatives W. Gregory Steube, Paul A. Gosar, Doug Lamborn, Scott Perry, Ted S. Yoho, Brian Mast, and Louis Gohmert.David Horowitz, “Failed by Israel, Malki Roth’s parents hope US can extradite her gloating killer,” Times of Israel, May 5, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/failed-by-israel-malki-roths-parents-hope-us-can-extradite-her-gloating-killer/; W. Gregory Steube, et al, Letter to Ambassador Dina Kawar, April 30, 2020, https://www.counterextremism.com/sites/default/files/House%20Letter_Tamimi_043020.pdf.
On March 8, 2021, Interpol dropped its arrest warrant for Tamimi.“Interpol drops arrest warrant for Sbarro bomber Ahlam al-Tamimi,” Jerusalem Post, March 14, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/international/interpol-drops-arrest-warrant-for-sbarro-bomber-ahlam-al-tamimi-661918. Roth’s family has continued to call on the administration of President Joe Biden to pressure Jordan’s King Abdullah II to extradite Tamimi.“2021 - 06 - 15 Roths - Letter To Sec Blinken Re Jordan,” Scribd, June 15, 2021, https://www.scribd.com/document/516512387/2021-06-15-Roths-Letter-to-Sec-Blinken-Re-Jordan; Marisa Schultz, “Family of 15-year-old terrorist attack victim asks Biden to bring justice for daughter,” Fox News, July 17, 2021, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/family-15-year-old-terrorist-attack-victim-biden-justice-daughter.
On July 11, 2022, the U.S. National Security Council released a statement reiterating that the U.S. government still seeks Tamimi’s extradition.“US seeks extradition of Palestinian attacker in Jordan,” Associated Press, July 11, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/biden-jerusalem-israel-united-states-jordan-92808745a870dc3310847458d6784477.
The FBI added Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi to its Most Wanted Terrorists list on March 14, 2017.“Individual Charged in Connection With 2001 Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem That Resulted in Death of Americans,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 14, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/individual-charged-connection-2001-terrorist-attack-jerusalem-resulted-death-americans.
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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