Omar Abdel-Rahman—known colloquially as the “Blind Sheikh”—was an influential figure for al-Qaeda terrorists, known for issuing fatwas (religious rulings) calling for acts of terrorism. Abdel-Rahman was himself implicated in plotting and conspiring to carry out various acts of terror. The Egyptian national was arrested in 1993, tried, and ultimately convicted in 1995 on dozens of charges, including conspiracy in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU. A rallying figure for al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood among other extremist groups, Abdel-Rahman died in February 2017 while serving a life sentence in U.S. prison.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU.

Abdel-Rahman was born and raised in Egypt, blind since infancy as a result of childhood diabetes.Peter Bergen, “The Cleric Who Altered the Course of Modern History,” CNN, February 19, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/opinions/9-11-spiritual-guide-dies-bergen/;
Rich Schapiro, “Blind sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, Mastermind of 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, Dies at 78,” New York Daily News, February 19, 2017, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/blind-sheik-omar-abdel-rahman-linked-1993-wtc-attack-dies-article-1.2976140. After studying the Quran in braille, Abdel-Rahman received a doctorate degree in Islamic jurisprudence from Al-Azhar University in Cairo.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU; Peter Bergen, “The Cleric Who Altered the Course of Modern History,” CNN, February 19, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/opinions/9-11-spiritual-guide-dies-bergen/. Following the October 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Abdel-Rahman was arrested and imprisoned for having previously penned a fatwa excommunicating Sadat, thereby laying the theological groundwork for his murder.Matt Schudel, “Omar Abdel Rahman, imprisoned ‘blind sheikh’ linked to terrorist efforts, dies at 78,” Washington Post, February 18, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/omar-abdel-rahman-blind-sheik-convicted-in-1993-world-trade-center-attack-dies-at-78/2017/02/18/807c4f2c-f603-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html;
Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU. Although Abdel-Rahman was discovered to have written the fatwa, he was acquitted of direct involvement in the murder, and was released from prison in 1984.Julia Preston, “Omar Abdel Rahman, Blind Cleric Found Guilty of Plot to Wage ‘War of Urban Terrorism,’ Dies at 78,” New York Times, February 18, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/18/world/middleeast/omar-abdel-rahman-dead.html. Abdel-Rahman subsequently left Egypt for Afghanistan, where he joined the anti-Soviet jihadist movement and forged an alliance with al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.Matt Schudel, “Omar Abdel Rahman, imprisoned ‘blind sheikh’ linked to terrorist efforts, dies at 78,” Washington Post, February 18, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/omar-abdel-rahman-blind-sheik-convicted-in-1993-world-trade-center-attack-dies-at-78/2017/02/18/807c4f2c-f603-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html.

In 1990, Abdel-Rahman applied for and received a tourist visa to travel to the United States, despite being on the State Department’s list of individuals with ties to terrorist organizations.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU. That year, Abdel-Rahman and his followers were implicated in the murder of radical preacher Rabbi Meir Kahane, shot to death in a Manhattan hotel.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU;
John Kifner, “Meir Kahane, 58, Israeli Militant and Founder of the Jewish Defense League,” New York Times, November 6, 1990, http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/06/obituaries/meir-kahane-58-israeli-militant-and-founder-of-the-jewish-defense-league.html. Abdel-Rahman nonetheless received a green card and U.S. permanent resident status the following year, and began preaching in storefronts in Brooklyn, New York, and nearby Jersey City in New Jersey.Matt Schudel, “Omar Abdel Rahman, imprisoned ‘blind sheikh’ linked to terrorist efforts, dies at 78,” Washington Post, February 18, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/omar-abdel-rahman-blind-sheik-convicted-in-1993-world-trade-center-attack-dies-at-78/2017/02/18/807c4f2c-f603-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html;
Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU. In 1992, Abdel-Rahman and his followers were linked to terrorist attacks in Egypt, including the murder of an Egyptian writer and attacks on foreign tourists.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU.

On February 26, 1993, followers of Abdel-Rahman bombed the World Trade Center in New York, killing six people and wounding more than 1,000 others. Abdel-Rahman was arrested four months later as part of the investigation, and was found to have been directly involved in plotting a thwarted “day of terror” in New York, in which terrorists would simultaneously bomb the United Nations building, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, the George Washington Bridge, and the FBI headquarters.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU;
Matt Schudel, “Omar Abdel Rahman, imprisoned ‘blind sheikh’ linked to terrorist efforts, dies at 78,” Washington Post, February 18, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/omar-abdel-rahman-blind-sheik-convicted-in-1993-world-trade-center-attack-dies-at-78/2017/02/18/807c4f2c-f603-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html. Abdel-Rahman was also found to have plotted to kill Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a 1993 visit to the United States, as well as a Jewish New York state legislator and a Jewish New York State Supreme Court justice.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU. In all, Abdel-Rahman was convicted on 48 terrorism-related charges on October 1, 1995, and sentenced in 1996 to life in prison.Joseph P. Fried, “The Terror Conspiracy: the Overview; Sheik and 9 Followers Guilty of a Conspiracy of Terrorism,” New York Times, October 2, 1995, http://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/02/nyregion/terror-conspiracy-overview-sheik-9-followers-guilty-conspiracy-terrorism.html;
Julia Preston, “Lawyer Is Guilty of Aiding Terror,” New York Times, February 11, 2005, http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/11/nyregion/lawyer-is-guilty-of-aiding-terror.html.

While in prison, Abdel-Rahman continued to serve as a rallying figure for notorious extremist and terrorist operatives, including al-Qaeda leaders bin Laden and Zawahiri, as well as Zawahiri’s brother, Muhammad al-Zawahiri, and Egyptian Brotherhood figure Mohammed Morsi.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU;
Matt Schudel, “Omar Abdel Rahman, imprisoned ‘blind sheikh’ linked to terrorist efforts, dies at 78,” Washington Post, February 18, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/omar-abdel-rahman-blind-sheik-convicted-in-1993-world-trade-center-attack-dies-at-78/2017/02/18/807c4f2c-f603-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html. In May 1998, two years after Abdel-Rahman’s sentence to life in prison, al-Qaeda publicly released a fatwa by Abdel-Rahman urging all Muslims to “tear [Americans, Jews, and Christians] to pieces.” Presaging al-Qaeda’s USS Cole and 9/11 attacks, the fatwa continued: “Destroy their economies, burn their corporations, destroy their businesses, sink their ships and bring down their airplanes. Kill them in the sea, on land and in the air.”Peter Bergen, “The Cleric Who Altered the Course of Modern History,” CNN, February 19, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/opinions/9-11-spiritual-guide-dies-bergen/.

Bin Laden and other senior Islamist figures have continued to reference Abdel-Rahman as a rallying figure in their various propaganda materials. In 2000, Al Jazeera released a video of bin Laden vowing “to work with all our power to free our brother, Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman.”Peter Bergen, “The Cleric Who Altered the Course of Modern History,” CNN, February 19, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/opinions/9-11-spiritual-guide-dies-bergen/. In the spring of 2001, during the final stages before the 9/11 attacks, bin Laden released a two-hour-long propaganda video for al-Qaeda, at one point referencing Abdel-Rahman, calling him a “hostage in an American jail.”Peter Bergen, “The Cleric Who Altered the Course of Modern History,” CNN, February 19, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/opinions/9-11-spiritual-guide-dies-bergen/.

Zawahiri has meanwhile called on Egyptians to kidnap Americans in an effort to secure a prisoner exchange, and his brother, Muhammad, has called Abdel-Rahman “the godfather of all Islamic movements.”Matt Schudel, “Omar Abdel Rahman, imprisoned ‘blind sheikh’ linked to terrorist efforts, dies at 78,” Washington Post, February 18, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/omar-abdel-rahman-blind-sheik-convicted-in-1993-world-trade-center-attack-dies-at-78/2017/02/18/807c4f2c-f603-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html. Upon his election to the Egyptian presidency in 2012, Brotherhood figure Mohammed Morsi pledged to win Abdel-Rahman’s freedom, which he characterized as a priority for his government.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU;
David D. Kirkpatrick, “Egypt’s New Leader Takes Oath, Promising to Work for Release of Jailed Terrorist,” New York Times, June 29, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/world/middleeast/morsi-promises-to-work-for-release-of-omar-abdel-rahman.html. Abdel-Rahman’s speeches and texts have also reportedly been used by ISIS for recruitment purposes.Kjetil Stormark, “Fight and Win Paradise,” Hate Speech International, February 4, 2014, https://www.hate-speech.org/fight-in-syria-win-paradise/.

Abdel-Rahman suffered from coronary artery disease and diabetes. He died of natural causes while in U.S. custody on February 18, 2017.Bill Trott, “’Blind Sheikh’ Convicted in 1993 World Trade Bombing Dies in U.S. Prison,” Reuters, February 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tradecenter-rahman-idUSKBN15X0KU.

Esteban Santiago is a U.S. citizen and convicted ISIS sympathizer who on January 6, 2017, carried out a gun attack at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, killing five people and wounding six others.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download. Santiago was arrested after running out of ammunition and surrendering to police.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download. In the following days, he was charged with weapons charges, as well as an act of violence at an international airport resulting in serious bodily injury.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download. Approximately one week following the shooting, Santiago told FBI agents that he had carried out the attack on behalf of ISIS. An FBI agent told the court that Santiago had been “in contact with like-minded individuals on the Dark Web.”Boris Sanchez, Kevin Conlon, “Fort Lauderdale shooter says he carried out attack for ISIS, FBI claims,” CNN, January 17, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/17/us/fort-lauderdale-shooter-isis-claim/;
Jay Weaver, “Accused airport shooter Esteban Santiago said he chatted online with jihadis,” Alaska Dispatch News, January 17, 2017, https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2017/01/17/airport-shooter-esteban-santiago-visited-jihadi-chat-rooms-online-prosecutors-say/. Santiago pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five life sentences plus 120 years in federal prison.Paula McMahon, “Airport Shooter Esteban Santiago to Plead Guilty, Spend Life in Prison,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 1, 2018, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-reg-esteban-santiago-death-penalty-decision-20180430-story.html; Paula McMahon, “Airport Shooter Esteban Santiago Sentenced to Five Life Terms and 120 Years in Prison,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 17, 2018, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-reg-airport-shooter-esteban-santiago-sentenced-20180817-story.html.

On January 5, 2017, Santiago took Delta Airlines Flight 1088 from Anchorage, Alaska, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He landed on January 6 and took Delta Flight 2182 from Minneapolis to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Following his arrival, Santiago continued on to luggage claim to retrieve his checked bag, which contained a handgun that he had legally checked prior to his flight.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download. After collecting his firearm, Santiago loaded the weapon—reportedly in the bathroom—and began indiscriminately firing in the baggage claim area in Terminal 2, killing five people and wounding six others.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download. After running out of ammunition, he laid face down on the floor and waited for law enforcement to arrive on the scene. He was immediately arrested by an officer from the Broward’s Sheriff’s Department.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download;
“Esteban Santiago Identified as Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooter,” NBC New York, January 7, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/NJ-Shooter-Esteban-Santiago-who-was-fort-lauderdale-409914655.html.

Three months before the attack, Santiago told the FBI he was being exposed to terrorist propaganda. In November 2016, he walked into the FBI’s field office in Anchorage, claiming that the CIA was controlling his mind and forcing him to watch ISIS videos.Erik Ortiz and Tracy Connor, “Fort Lauderdale Shooting: Five Killed at Airport Shooting, Gunman ID’d as Esteban Santiago,” NBC News, January 7, 2017, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fort-lauderdale-shooting-five-killed-airport-shooting-gunman-idd-esteban-n704001. After evaluating his behavior, the FBI agents called local police who referred him to a mental health facility.Erik Ortiz and Tracy Connor, “Fort Lauderdale Shooting: Five Killed at Airport Shooting, Gunman ID’d as Esteban Santiago,” NBC News, January 7, 2017, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fort-lauderdale-shooting-five-killed-airport-shooting-gunman-idd-esteban-n704001. The FBI closed its assessment of Santiago after conducting interagency database checks and establishing that he did not have a connection to any terrorist group.“Esteban Santiago Identified as Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooter,” NBC New York, January 7, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/NJ-Shooter-Esteban-Santiago-who-was-fort-lauderdale-409914655.html;
Caroline Linton, “Esteban Santiago-Ruiz: What we know so far about the suspected Fort Lauderdale shooter,” CBS News, January 6, 2017, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/esteban-santiago-ruiz-fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/.

Santiago was born in New Jersey in 1990, and his family moved to Puerto Rico when he was two years old.Erik Ortiz and Tracy Connor, “Fort Lauderdale Shooting: Five Killed at Airport Shooting, Gunman ID’d as Esteban Santiago,” NBC News, January 7, 2017, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fort-lauderdale-shooting-five-killed-airport-shooting-gunman-idd-esteban-n704001;
Caroline Linton, “Esteban Santiago-Ruiz: What we know so far about the suspected Fort Lauderdale shooter,” CBS News, January 6, 2017, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/esteban-santiago-ruiz-fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/. In 2007, he joined the Puerto Rico National Guard, with which he deployed to Iraq between April 2010 and February 2011.Nathaniel Herz, Chris Klint, Suzanna Caldwell, and Jerzy Shedlock, “Esteban Santiago, the suspect in Florida Airport shooting, was an Anchorage resident,” Alaska Dispatch News, January 7, 2017, https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2017/01/06/suspect-in-florida-airport-shooting-has-same-name-age-as-anchorage-man/. Following his deployment, he transferred to the Army Reserves and later moved to Anchorage, where he joined the National Guard in November 2014.“Esteban Santiago Identified as Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooter,” NBC New York, January 7, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/NJ-Shooter-Esteban-Santiago-who-was-fort-lauderdale-409914655.html;
Nathaniel Herz, Chris Klint, Suzanna Caldwell, and Jerzy Shedlock, “Esteban Santiago, the suspect in Florida Airport shooting, was an Anchorage resident,” Alaska Dispatch News, January 7, 2017, https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2017/01/06/suspect-in-florida-airport-shooting-has-same-name-age-as-anchorage-man/. Santiago received a general discharge from the Alaskan guard for unsatisfactory performance.Caroline Linton, “Esteban Santiago-Ruiz: What we know so far about the suspected Fort Lauderdale shooter,” CBS News, January 6, 2017, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/esteban-santiago-ruiz-fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/. According to the Pentagon, Santiago had gone AWOL (absent without official leave) several times during his time with the Alaskan National Guard and was previously demoted.Caroline Linton, “Esteban Santiago-Ruiz: What we know so far about the suspected Fort Lauderdale shooter,” CBS News, January 6, 2017, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/esteban-santiago-ruiz-fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/.

Santiago had several run-ins with the police while living in Alaska. In January 2016, he was charged with assault and criminal mischief in a domestic violence case filed by his girlfriend. He reportedly choked her and struck her in the head. One month later, he violated the conditions of his release after police found him at her home.Nathaniel Herz, Chris Klint, Suzanna Caldwell, and Jerzy Shedlock, “Esteban Santiago, the suspect in Florida Airport shooting, was an Anchorage resident,” Alaska Dispatch News, January 7, 2017, https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2017/01/06/suspect-in-florida-airport-shooting-has-same-name-age-as-anchorage-man/;
Ray Sanchez, “What we know about the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting suspect,” CNN, January 7, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/us/fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/index.html. He also received two minor offenses in 2015 of having no proof of insurance, as well as a taillight violation.Ray Sanchez, “What we know about the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting suspect,” CNN, January 7, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/us/fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/index.html.

According to Santiago’s relatives, his behavior appeared peculiar ever since he returned from his deployment in Iraq in February 2011. His aunt told CNN that “his mind was not right,” and that “he seemed normal at times, but other times he seemed lost.”Ray Sanchez, “What we know about the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting suspect,” CNN, January 7, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/us/fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/index.html. She revealed that Santiago “talked about all of the destruction [in Iraq] and the killing of children. He had visions all the time.”Ray Sanchez, “What we know about the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting suspect,” CNN, January 7, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/us/fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/index.html. According to Santiago’s brother, Santiago had requested medical help from the Army and federal agencies after his deployment, and was hospitalized for several days.Ray Sanchez, “What we know about the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting suspect,” CNN, January 7, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/us/fort-lauderdale-airport-shooting-suspect/index.html.

According to authorities, Santiago admitted to planning the attack and purchasing a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale.“United States v. Esteban Santiago Ruiz,” United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, January 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/file/923466/download.

On April 30, 2018, Santiago pleaded guilty to the airport attack. The plea bargain stipulated a sentence of life imprisonment, in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty.Paula McMahon, “Airport Shooter Esteban Santiago to Plead Guilty, Spend Life in Prison,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 1, 2018, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-reg-esteban-santiago-death-penalty-decision-20180430-story.html. On August 17, 2018, he was sentenced to five life sentences plus 120 years in federal prison. At sentencing, District Judge Beth Bloom referred to his airport attack as “85 seconds of evil,” and stated that “it is difficult, if not impossible, for this court to separate the evil in your acts from the evil in the man.”Paula McMahon, “Airport Shooter Esteban Santiago Sentenced to Five Life Terms and 120 Years in Prison,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 17, 2018, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-reg-airport-shooter-esteban-santiago-sentenced-20180817-story.html.

Santiago is currently incarcerated at United States Penitentiary Allenwood in Pennsylvania.“ESTEBAN SANTIAGO-RUIZ,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 7, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Amedy Coulibaly was the pro-ISIS gunman responsible for carrying out the January 9, 2015, kosher supermarket attack in Paris, killing four people. Coulibaly—an associate of Charlie Hebdo attackers Chérif and Saïd Kouachi—began to carry out terror attacks on January 7, when Coulibaly detonated a car bomb in the Villejuif (“Jewish town”) suburb of Paris, and shot and wounded a jogger in eastern Paris.By David Gauthier-Villars and Asa Fitch, “Islamic State Releases Video Calling Grocery Store Gunman Its ‘Soldier,’” Wall Street Journal, January 11, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/video-appears-to-show-paris-kosher-grocery-attack-suspect-coulibaly-swearing-allegiance-to-islamic-state-1420977506;
Fidelma Cook, Lucy Crossley, Tom Kelly, and Claire Duffin, “Hebdo killers in ISIS martyrdom video – as French police discover his massive arms cache and link him to another shooting two days earlier,” Daily Mail (London), January 11, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2905302/Calm-stare-Jewish-deli-terrorist-Jihadist-s-ISIS-suicide-video-emerges-confirms-link-Charlie-Hebdo-killers-calls-fellow-vigorous-Muslims-defend-prophet-Mohammed.html. On January 8, Coulibaly shot and killed a French police officer in southern Paris,“French police officer killed in shooting on edge of Paris,” Fox News, January 8, 2015, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/08/at-least-1-police-officer-wounded-in-paris-shooting.html. and on January 9, Coulibaly stormed the Hyper Cacher supermarket in eastern Paris.Lewis Smith, “Paris supermarket hostage reveals killer Amedy Coulibaly told him: ‘It’s nothing personal,’” Independent (London), July 8, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-supermarket-hostage-reveals-killer-amedy-coulibaly-told-him-its-nothing-personal-10376266.html. Coulibaly was killed in a shootout with police on the evening of January 9.“Paris Hostage Raid Video: Watch the Moment Police Storm Paris Supermarket,” ABC News, January 9, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVS-a89laMc; Ricky Ben-David, “4 dead as French forces storm kosher supermarket,kill gunman; Charlie Hebdo terrorist brothers also killed,” Times of Israel, January 10, 2015, http://www.timesofisrael.com/terror-onslaught-in-paris/.

Coulibaly began his gun and hostage attack targeting Hyper Cacher just after 12 p.m. on January 9, 2015, charging the store with two AK 47 rifles, two pistols, a knife, and 20 sticks of dynamite.Griff Witte, “In a kosher grocery store in Paris, terror takes a deadly toll,” Washington Post, January 9,2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/paris-kosher-market-seized-in-second-hostage-drama-in-nervous-france/2015/01/09/f171b97e-97ff-11e4-8005-1924ede3e54a_story.html?utm_term=.2d7aacfbb438;
Angus Berwick, “Spanish police arrest man suspected of arming Paris supermarket gunman,” Reuters, April 13, 2016, http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN0XA1JA?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0. Coulibaly took 16 occupants hostage, while several individuals managed to hide from Coulibaly in a refrigerated cellar.Griff Witte, “In a kosher grocery store in Paris, terror takes a deadly toll,” Washington Post, January 9,2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/paris-kosher-market-seized-in-second-hostage-drama-in-nervous-france/2015/01/09/f171b97e-97ff-11e4-8005-1924ede3e54a_story.html?utm_term=.2d7aacfbb438. Coulibaly captured footage of the attack with a GoPro camera, and demanded that one of the hostages upload the videotape online, as Coulibaly was unable to connect to the store’s WiFi. Coulibaly reportedly asked the hostage who uploaded the video, “Do you understand why I am doing what I am doing here? I am here because the Prophet has given me an order. I am here to stop the war in the Arab countries.”Lewis Smith, “Paris supermarket hostage reveals killer Amedy Coulibaly told him: ‘It’s nothing personal’,” Independent (London), July 8, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-supermarket-hostage-reveals-killer-amedy-coulibaly-told-him-its-nothing-personal-10376266.html.

Coulibaly spoke with the police during the hostage situation, reportedly demanding that they allow the Kouachi brothers—who had carried out the Charlie Hebdo attacks on January 7—to escape their hideout at a printing shop in Dammartin. Coulibaly reportedly told police that he would kill his hostages if police raided the brothers’ hideout.John Lichfield, “Paris attackers interview with French TV station: ‘We are defenders of the Prophet… We took vengeance’, said Charlie Hebdo killer Cherif Kouachi,” Independent (London), January 10, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-attackers-gave-interview-to-french-tv-station-we-are-defenders-of-the-prophet-we-took-9969749.html;
Ricky Ben-David, “4 dead as French forces storm kosher supermarket,kill gunman; Charlie Hebdo terrorist brothers also killed,” Times of Israel, January 10, 2015, http://www.timesofisrael.com/terror-onslaught-in-paris/. At approximately 3 p.m., Coulibaly conducted a phone interview with French news outlet BFM TV, during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS, announced that he had already shot four hostages, and claimed that he had “coordinated [with the Kouachi brothers] from the beginning.”Griff Witte, “In a kosher grocery store in Paris, terror takes a deadly toll,” Washington Post, January 9,2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/paris-kosher-market-seized-in-second-hostage-drama-in-nervous-france/2015/01/09/f171b97e-97ff-11e4-8005-1924ede3e54a_story.html?utm_term=.2d7aacfbb438;
“Paris gunman appears in video, declares loyalty to Islamic State,” Reuters, January 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-shooting-video-gunman-idUSKBN0KK0BL20150111;
John Lichfield, “Paris attackers interview with French TV station: ‘We are defenders of the Prophet… We took vengeance’, said Charlie Hebdo killer Cherif Kouachi,” Independent (London), January 10, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-attackers-gave-interview-to-french-tv-station-we-are-defenders-of-the-prophet-we-took-9969749.html.

Coulibaly’s attack ended when French counterterrorism forces stormed the market at a few minutes past 6 p.m., shooting guns and firing flares into the supermarket. Coulibaly was shot and killed in the exchange and all remaining hostages were freed. The counterattack took place simultaneously with the counterattack in Dammartin, wherein French police stormed the Kouachi brothers’ hideout, killing the two gunmen.“Paris Hostage Raid Video: Watch the Moment Police Storm Paris Supermarket,” ABC News, January 9, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVS-a89laMc;
Ricky Ben-David, “4 dead as French forces storm kosher supermarket,kill gunman; Charlie Hebdo terrorist brothers also killed,” Times of Israel, January 10, 2015, http://www.timesofisrael.com/terror-onslaught-in-paris/. On January 10, a video was distributed online showing Coulibaly in a video that he had filmed prior to the attack. In the video, he claimed to be a soldier of ISIS and to have synchronized the attacks with the Kouachi brothers.Fidelma Cook, Lucy Crossley, Tom Kelly, and Claire Duffin, “Hebdo killers in ISIS martyrdom video – as French police discover his massive arms cache and link him to another shooting two days earlier,” Daily Mail (London), January 11, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2905302/Calm-stare-Jewish-deli-terrorist-Jihadist-s-ISIS-suicide-video-emerges-confirms-link-Charlie-Hebdo-killers-calls-fellow-vigorous-Muslims-defend-prophet-Mohammed.html.

In the wake of the Hyper Cacher attack, details emerged regarding Coulibaly’s prior criminal history and radicalization to Islamic extremism. In 2004, Coulibaly was reportedly exposed to radical Islam while imprisoned and living in the cell above al-Qaeda recruiter Djamel Beghal. After his release in 2007, Coulibaly regularly visited Beghal while Beghal was under house arrest in Murat, France, often bringing along funds and guests. Such guests included his spouse Hayat Boumedienne, as well as the future Charlie Hebdo attackers. According to a later interview with Boumedienne, she and Coulibaly had partaken in “crossbow practice” at Beghal’s residence.Bill Gardner and Ben Farmer, “Paris shootings: France’s most wanted woman Hayat Boumedienne has ‘escaped to Syria’,” Telegraph (London), January 10, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11337944/Paris-shootings-Frances-most-wanted-woman-Hayat-Boumeddiene-has-escaped-to-Syria.html.

During their meetings, Beghal, Coulibaly, and the Kouachi brothers reportedly plotted to break Smain Ali Belkacem—convicted for the 1995 Paris metro bombing—out of prison.Carol Kuruvilla and Jaweed Kaleem, “Amedy Coulibaly, Paris Kosher Market Terrorist, Had History Of Ties To Violence,” Huffington Post, January 10, 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/09/amedy-coulibaly-paris-kosher-market_n_6444418.html;
“Paris attacks: Suspects’ profiles,” BBC, January 12, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30722038. Police monitoring the group arrested the men in May 2010 before they could carry out the prison break.Greg Botelho and Ray Sanchez, “France: Raids kill 3 suspects, including 2 wanted in Charlie Hebdo attack,” CNN, January 21, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/09/europe/charlie-hebdo-paris-shooting/. Coulibaly was convicted for the plot.Carol Kuruvilla and Jaweed Kaleem, “Amedy Coulibaly, Paris Kosher Market Terrorist, Had History Of Ties To Violence,” Huffington Post, January 10, 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/09/amedy-coulibaly-paris-kosher-market_n_6444418.html. Upon searching Coulibaly’s house, police uncovered 240 rounds of Kalashnikov rifle ammunition and a photograph of Djamel Beghal.Greg Botelho and Ray Sanchez, “France: Raids kill 3 suspects, including 2 wanted in Charlie Hebdo attack,” CNN, January 21, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/09/europe/charlie-hebdo-paris-shooting/. The Kouachi brothers were also implicated, but were not charged due to lack of evidence.Carol Kuruvilla and Jaweed Kaleem, “Amedy Coulibaly, Paris Kosher Market Terrorist, Had History Of Ties To Violence,” Huffington Post, January 10, 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/09/amedy-coulibaly-paris-kosher-market_n_6444418.html. In mid-January 2015, reports emerged that Hayat Boumedienne had fled to Syria days before the Charlie Hebdo and supermarket attacks. According to reports, the ISIS-sympathizing couple had trained together before the attacks.Bill Gardner and Ben Farmer, “Paris shootings: France’s most wanted woman Hayat Boumeddiene has ‘escaped to Syria’,” Telegraph (London), January 10, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11337944/Paris-shootings-Frances-most-wanted-woman-Hayat-Boumeddiene-has-escaped-to-Syria.html;
Mallory Shelbourne, “New issue of ‘Dabiq’ features interview with widow of Paris gunman,” Long War Journal, February 13, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/02/new-issue-of-dabiq-features-interview-with-widow-of-paris-gunmen-2.php.

After his death, Coulibaly’s body was to be buried in his parents’ home city of Bamako, Mali, though the Malian government refused the body. He was ultimately buried in the Thiais cemetery outside of Paris, since French law prohibits cities from rejecting grave plots to anyone who lived within its borders.Damien Gayle, “Mali refuses to accept the body of Paris kosher deli terrorist Coulibaly the day before he was due to be buried,” DailyMail, January 22, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2921536/Mali-refuses-accept-body-Paris-kosher-deli-terrorist-Coulibaly-burial.html;
“Paris attacks: Amedy Coulibaly buried near Paris,” BBC News, January 23, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30949917.

Kuwaiti-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez was an American citizen who in July 2015 carried out attacks on two U.S. military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing five U.S. military personnel. He is believed to have been inspired in part by the teachings of the late al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.  Abdulazeez had not been on any terror watch list.Catherine E. Shoichet and Gary Tuchman, "Chattanooga shooting: 4 Marines killed, a dead suspect and questions of motive," CNN, July 17, 2015, edition.cnn.com/2015/07/16/us/tennessee-naval-reserve-shooting.

On the morning of July 16, 2015, Abdulazeez parked in front of a military recruiting center in Chattanooga and shot through the glass doors at personnel inside. From the recruiting center, he drove seven miles to a U.S. Navy operational support center and killed four U.S. Marines, fatally wounding one U.S. Navy sailor. Abdulazeez was killed by responding police.Catherine E. Shoichet and Gary Tuchman, "Chattanooga shooting: 4 Marines killed, a dead suspect and questions of motive," CNN, July 17, 2015, edition.cnn.com/2015/07/16/us/tennessee-naval-reserve-shooting.

Abdulazeez was born to Palestinian parents in Kuwait during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of the country.Yasmin Khorram, Ben Brumfield and Scott Zamost, "Chattanooga shooter changed after Mideast visit, friend says," CNN, September 15, 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/07/17/us/tennessee-shooter-mohammad-youssuf-abdulazeez/. Abdulazeez’s father, Youssuf, was twice investigated by the FBI—in 1994 and 2002—for donating money to Palestinian groups suspected to be involved in terrorism.Craig Whitlock, Adam Goldman and Greg Miller, "Marines’ killer set off no red flags," Washington Post, July 18, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/gunman-in-marine-slayings-described-life-as-prison-days-before-rampage/2015/07/17/86d1f988-2c67-11e5-a250-42bd812efc09_story.html?hpid=z1. In 1996, the Abdulazeez family immigrated to the United States and settled near Chattanooga, Tennessee. They were later naturalized as U.S. citizens."4 Marines killed in attacks on Chattanooga military facilities," CBS News, July 16, 2015, www.cbsnews.com/news/report-police-officer-shot-near-tennessee-army-recruiting-center/ Muhammad attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 2012.Yasmin Khorram, Ben Brumfield and Scott Zamost, "Chattanooga shooter changed after Mideast visit, friend says," CNN, September 15, 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/07/17/us/tennessee-shooter-mohammad-youssuf-abdulazeez/.

In May 2013, Muhammad Abdulazeez was hired by the Perry Nuclear Power Plant but was fired after just ten days for failing a drug test."Sailor shot in Tenn. terror attack dies; gunman reportedly failed drug test at nuclear plant," Fox News, July 19, 2015, www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/19/sailor-in-chattanooga-shooting-has-died-death-toll-now-5.html. His journal, recovered by the FBI after the shooting, documented Muhammad spiraling into depression after losing his job. He wrote about committing suicide or “becoming a martyr,” and abused opioids, painkillers, marijuana, and sleeping pills. In the months leading up to the shooting, Abdulazeez fell increasingly into debt and considered declaring bankruptcy.Brian Ross, Doug Lantz, and James Gordon Meek, "Chattanooga Shooter Researched Religious Justification For Violence: Official," ABC News, July 20, 2015, abcnews.go.com/US/chattanooga-shooting-fbi-recovers-gunmans-disturbing-diary/story?id=32558310. Adding to his depression was an April 2015 DUI arrest which reportedly brought great embarrassment to his family.Yasmin Khorram, Ben Brumfield and Scott Zamost, "Chattanooga shooter changed after Mideast visit, friend says," CNN, September 15, 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/07/17/us/tennessee-shooter-mohammad-youssuf-abdulazeez/.

Abdulazeez’s depression was mirrored by his growing radicalization. Starting in 2003, Abdulazeez had traveled to Jordan a total of five times, most recently in 2014 for seven months.Richard Fausset, "Chattanooga Gunman Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez: ‘Life Is Short and Bitter,'" New York Times, July 16, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/us/chattanooga-shooting-suspect-was-ordinary-boy-neighbors-recall.html?_r=0. He stayed with his uncle who was described by a U.S. law enforcement official as “radical.”Jonathan Dienst and Miguel Almaguer, "Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez Downloaded Recordings From Radical Cleric, Officials Say," NBC News, July 21, 2015, www.nbcnews.com/storyline/chattanooga-shooting/mohammad-youssef-abdulazeez-downloaded-recordings-radical-cleric-officials-say-n395986. Searches of Abdulazeez’s computer after the attack revealed that he researched whether martyrdom would absolve him of his sins.Joan Garrett McClane and Joy Lukachick Smith, "Why he did it: a look at the Chattanooga gunman's motives," Chattanooga Times Free Press, July 21, 2015, www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/jul/21/abdulazeez-lived-two-lives/315648/. A blog post, dated just two days before the shooting, lamented that “life is short and bitter” and that Muslims should not allow “the opportunity to submit to Allah ... pass you by.”Richard Fausset, "Chattanooga Gunman Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez: ‘Life Is Short and Bitter,'" New York Times, July 16, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/us/chattanooga-shooting-suspect-was-ordinary-boy-neighbors-recall.html?_r=0. A search of Abdulazeez’s house after the attack discovered both downloaded and physical CD recordings of lectures by Anwar al-Awlaki.Jonathan Dienst and Miguel Almaguer, "Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez Downloaded Recordings From Radical Cleric, Officials Say," NBC News, July 21, 2015, www.nbcnews.com/storyline/chattanooga-shooting/mohammad-youssef-abdulazeez-downloaded-recordings-radical-cleric-officials-say-n395986.

According to U.S. law enforcement, Abdulazeez was not in contact with any ISIS recruiters. A U.S. counterterror official stated, “This case appears to be much more like the old model, where he was interested in radical Islam and sought to learn more about it online by looking at videos and readings.”Michael Schmidt and Jody Rudoren, "Chattanooga Gunman Researched Islamic Martyrdom, Officials Say," New York Times, July 21, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/07/22/us/chattanooga-gunman-mohammod-abdulazeez.html.

Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif—born Joseph Anthony Davis—is an American convert to Islam serving an 18-year prison sentence for a 2011 terror plot. Abdul-Latif, along with two co-conspirators—one of them an FBI informant—had planned to attack a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Seattle, Washington.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 1.

Between 2010 and 2011, Abdul-Latif operated a YouTube channel under the username “Akabdullatif.”Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, “Akabdullatif,” YouTube, accessed 7/6/2016, https://www.youtube.com/user/akabdullatif. Of the 22 uploads on his channel—active as of late 2016—13 are unoriginal content and include conspiracy documentaries on 9/11 and U.S. ambitions to destroy Islam. The other nine videos are religious diatribes and rants by Abdul-Latif.Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, “Akabdullatif,” YouTube, accessed 7/6/2016, https://www.youtube.com/user/akabdullatif. In many of these videos, he espouses on U.S. “plots” to plunder and destroy the Middle East and Islam. In others, he calls on Muslims to take up jihad and seek martyrdom.“The Seattle Terror Plot & Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif’s Online Messages,” Anti-Defamation League, June 30, 2011, www.adl.org/combating-hate/international-extremism-terrorism/c/abdul-latif-seattle-plot.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/#.V328qbgrI2w.

Abdul-Latif is believed to have venerated al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. In one of Abdul-Latif’s YouTube videos—posted ten months before Awlaki’s September 2011 death in a U.S. drone strike—Abdul-Latif argued: “[U.S. President Barack Obama has] made war against Islam. He’s even put a hit on Anwar al Awlaki, our brother sheik, may Allah protect him.”Akabdullatif, “Advice for the Ummah,” YouTube video, 14:58, Posted November 18, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnzecATWIM;
“Obituary: Anwar al-Awlaki,” BBC News, September 30, 2011, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11658920. Adul-Latif also commented on a YouTube video in which Awlaki discussed the 2009 Fort Hood shootings, saying, “Hopefully there will be more soldiers who come out of the woodwork to serve Allah.”“The Seattle Terror Plot & Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif’s Online Messages,” Anti-Defamation League, June 30, 2011, www.adl.org/combating-hate/international-extremism-terrorism/c/abdul-latif-seattle-plot.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/#.V328qbgrI2w. In addition, Abdul-Latif created a YouTube playlist called “Islamic Jihad,” which contained multiple lectures by al-Qaeda co-founder Abdullah Azzam.Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, “Akabdullatif,” YouTube, Accessed 7/6/2016, https://www.youtube.com/user/akabdullatif.

In March 2011, Abdul-Latif and a Los Angeles man named Walli Mujahidh began planning a terror attack on a U.S. military installation, tentatively selecting Joint Base Lewis-McChord. On May 30, 2011, Abdul-Latif approached his friend, felon and sex offender Robert Childs, to participate in the attack.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 37. Several days later, Childs reported the plot to members of the Seattle Police Department, who subsequently hired him as an informant.Trevor Aaronson, “FBI Informant Faces Criminal Trial in Key West,” Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, December 26, 2014, www.fcir.org/2014/12/26/fbi-informant-faces-criminal-trial-in-key-west/.

According to the FBI, Abdul-Latif sought to attack the U.S. military as retribution for what he perceived as atrocities committed against Muslims by U.S. soldiers. In private conversations with Childs, Abdul-Latif referenced the November 2009 Fort Hood shooting, and asserted that three attackers would be able to cause more damage than one.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 14.

On June 3, 2011, Childs—working as an undercover agent—met with Abdul-Latif and informed him that he would provide firearms for use in the attack.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 13. Three days later, the pair met again and Walli Mujahidh joined via cell phone.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 15. They decided to instead target a Military Entry Processing Station (MEPS) because of heightened security levels at the base.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 16. Abdul-Latif argued that in attacking a MEPS station, they would be killing recruits who would otherwise be sent to fight Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 17.

On June 8, Abdul-Latif and Childs scouted the outside of the Seattle MEPS facility, noting the locations of cameras and guards.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 18. The pair met again two days later and discussed procedure and equipment for the attack.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 20. Soon after, Childs provided firearms and grenades—via the FBI—for Abdul-Latif to inspect.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 24. Additionally, they purchased a bus ticket for Mujahidh which scheduled him to arrive in Seattle on June 21.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 23.

On June 22, the trio met at a Seattle warehouse garage in order to collect the weapons, which the FBI had placed in a duffle bag. FBI agents arrested Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh as they attempted to leave the premises with the weaponry.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 36.

Throughout the planning process Abdul-Latif insisted, as recorded by the FBI, that the targets of the attack were members, or aspiring members, of the U.S. military. Abdul-Latif proposed targeting active duty military personnel and recruits, identifying them by uniform and haircut.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 19.

Abdul-Latif was charged with four counts, including conspiracy to murder officers and employees of the United States.“Amended Complaint for Violations: United States of America v. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif a/k/a Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh a/k/a Frederick Domingue, Jr.” United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle, June 23, 2011, 8. In December 2012, Abdul-Latif pled guilty to conspiracy to murder officers and agents of the United States and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.“Seattle Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Attack Seattle Military Processing Center,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, December 6, 2012, 1. In March 2013, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.“Seattle Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Attack Seattle Military Processing Center,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, December 6, 2012, 1.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was an ethnic Chechen, Russian citizen, and Massachusetts resident who carried out the Boston Marathon bombings alongside his younger brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on April 15, 2013. The explosions killed three people and injured more than 250, 17 of whom became amputees.Steve Annear, “MIT dedicates monument to Sean Collier,” Boston Globe, April 29, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/29/mit-dedicate-monument-sean-collier-wednesday/E8aVcQXkrht6KO8D85VPFL/story.html;
Katharine Q. Seelye and Jess Bidgood, “Breaking Silence, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Apologizes for Boston Marathon Bombing,” New York Times, June 24, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/25/us/boston-marathon-bombing-dzhokhar-tsarnaev.html?_r=0;
Peter Finn, Carol D. Leonnig, and Will Englund, “Tsarnaev brothers’ homeland was war-torn Chechnya,” Washington Post, April 19, 2013, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/details-emerge-on-suspected-boston-bombers/2013/04/19/ef2c2566-a8e4-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.html. Tamerlan died several days later following a shootout with police.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 19. His brother Dzhokhar was apprehended and sentenced to death in May 2015.Milton J. Valencia and Patricia Wen, “Tsarnaev guilty on all counts in Marathon bombings,” Boston Globe, April 8, 2015,https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/08/tsarnaev-jury-begins-second-day-deliberations/t7KplwR18hH1RSuX1BQohM/story.html.

On the day of the attack, the Tsarnaev brothers placed two pressure-cooker bombs near the marathon’s finish line. Each device “killed at least one person, maimed, burned and wounded scores of others, and damaged public and private property,” according to the criminal complaint filed against Dzhokhar.“United States of America v. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, April 21, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/363201342213441988148.pdf. Three days after the bombings, on April 18, the brothers killed police officer Sean Collier, used his gun to carjack a vehicle, and fled to Watertown, Massachusetts, west of Boston.“United States of America v. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev a/k/a/ ‘Jahar Tsarni,’” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, June 27, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ma/legacy/2013/06/27/Indictment1.pdf. There, police officers exchanged fire with the brothers and shot Tamerlan in the process. Tamerlan was taken to a local hospital and died that night from injuries sustained in the shootout.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 19.

Tsarnaev was born in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, but moved to the United States in 2003, gaining lawful permanent residence.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 9-10. He attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, taking up boxing and dating girls. After his graduation, Tsarnaev enrolled in community college, though his focus soon pivoted to Islam. In 2009, Tsarnaev began arguing with his uncle, saying that work and school were of no importance compared to religion.CNN Staff, “Timeline: A look at Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s past,” CNN, April 22, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/21/us/tamerlan-tsarnaev-timeline/;
“Dzhokhar and Tamerlan: A Profile of the Tsarnaev Brothers,” CBS News, April 23, 2013, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dzhokhar-and-tamerlan-a-profile-of-the-tsarnaev-brothers/. Tsarnaev married his high school girlfriend, Katherine Russell, in June 2010.CNN Staff, “Timeline: A look at Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s past,” CNN, April 22, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/21/us/tamerlan-tsarnaev-timeline/;
Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 10. Russell gave birth to their daughter that October.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 10.

In March of 2011, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) asked the FBI to monitor Tsarnaev, worried that he was an extremist and would attempt to travel to Russia to carry out an attack. The FBI opened an investigation and interviewed Tsarnaev, but did not find any links to terrorism.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 11-2. Nevertheless, the FBI ordered Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to alert the Bureau if Tsarnaev passed through U.S. customs. Tsarnaev triggered the CBP alert in January of 2012 when he flew to Moscow, though the FBI was not contacted due to the high volume of individuals the CBP was monitoring that day. A secondary CBP alert was not triggered upon Tsarnaev’s return to the United States in July because his last name had been incorrectly spelled in the CBP system.Tom Winter, “Russia Warned U.S. About Tsarnaev, But Spelling Issue Let Him Escape,” NBC News, March 25, 2014, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/boston-bombing-anniversary/russia-warned-u-s-about-tsarnaev-spelling-issue-let-him-n60836.

According to the congressional report to the Committee on Homeland Security, Tamerlan spent time in Makhachkala, Dagestan, during those six months in 2012 and may have come into contact with extremists.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 13-4. Authorities say it is possible that Tamerlan communicated with Russian extremist Nadirshakh Khachilaev, the founder of a Makhachkala mosque who had reportedly previously facilitated al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri’s travel to Dagestan in 1997.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 14.

Upon his return to the United States in July 2012, Tsarnaev began following extremists on social media and watching videos of Chechen jihadists on YouTube. He appeared “intrigued by the jihadist rebels in the Caucasus” and might have been “inspired by their general ideology,” according to a congressional report.Majority Staff on the Committee on Homeland Security, “The Road to Boston: Counterterrorism Challenges and Lessons from the Marathon Bombings: House Homeland Security Committee Report,” March 2014, 16. He reportedly began yelling out during sermons at the mosque he attended—angry when the imam celebrated American holidays or praised Martin Luther King, Jr.CNN Staff, “Timeline: A look at Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s past,” CNN, April 22, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/21/us/tamerlan-tsarnaev-timeline/.

The Tsarnaev brothers may have been inspired to murder in part by the teachings of al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Law enforcement agents found evidence that Dzhokhar listened to Awlaki’s lectures online. Dzhokhar allegedly told officials that he and his brother learned how to make their IEDs from directions found in Inspire, the English-language magazine of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula founded by Awlaki.Daniel Klaidman, “Exclusive: The Awlaki/Tsarnaev Connection,” The Daily Beast, April 26, 2013, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/26/the-awlaki-connection.html;
Ian Black, “Inspire magazine: the self-help manual for al-Qaida terrorists,”Guardian (London), May 24, 2013,https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/may/24/inspire-magazine-self-help-manual-al-qaida-terrorists.

In April 2023, streaming service Netflix releases a docuseries on the Tsarnaev brothers called American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing. The 10-part series interviews survivors, family of the bombing’s victims, as well as people who personally knew the Tsarnaev brothers. The series traces the events that led to Tamerlan’s death and Dzhokhar’s capture.Amanda Richards and Ingrid Ostby, “‘American Manhunt’ Revisits the Boston Marathon Bombing, 10 Years Later,” Netflix, April 12, 2023, https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/american-manhunt-the-boston-marathon-bombing-release-date-news. Boston Globe reporter David Filipov also gives his perspective. Filipov wrote a December 2013 article on the Tsarnaevs that revealed Tamerlan claimed from an early age he heard a voice in his head that told him to commit various acts. According to the 2013 article, one doctor was concerned Tamerlan schizophrenic. Media observers noted this piece of information on Tamerlan’s possible psychosis did not appear in the Netflix series.Laura Jane Turner, “Netflix’s Boston Marathon Bombing documentary doesn’t quite address its own controversy,” Digital Spy, April 13, 2023, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a43575200/tsarnaev-brothers-boston-marathon-bombing-documentary/.

As of April 2023, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev remained on death row at a federal supermax prison in Colorado. In January 2023, Tsarnaev’s attorneys filed an appeal with the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston to have Tsarnaev’s death sentence thrown out because of juror misconduct.Alanna Durkin Richer, “Court weighs tossing Boston marathon bomber’s death sentence,” Associated Press, January 10, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-government-legal-proceedings-crime-boston-f32276fbfccb77fca2a08ae831d7f4df; Shelley Murphy, “Where the legal battle over Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s death sentence stands a decade after the Marathon bombings,” Boston Globe, April 16, 2023, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/16/sports/boston-marathon-bombing-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan was an 18-year-old Somali refugee, suspected domestic terrorist, and alleged ISIS sympathizer. On the morning of November 28, 2016, Artan drove his car into a crowd of people on a sidewalk at the Ohio State University (OSU)—where he was a student—and then proceeded to stab and slash victims with a butcher knife. He wounded 11 people—hitting six with his car and stabbing five others—before he was shot and killed by a campus police officer within one minute of beginning his assault.Brian Ross, Mike Levine, Josh Margolin, and Aaron Katersky, “Officials Investigating Anti-US Facebook Rant Believed Linked to OSU Attacker,” ABC News, November 28, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/osu-attack-suspect-identified-abdul-razak-ali-artan/story?id=43827435;
Mitch Smith, Richard Perez-Pena, and Adam Goldman, “Suspect Is Killed in Attack at Ohio State University That Injured 11,” New York Times, November 28, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/us/active-shooter-ohio-state-university.html. Artan is believed to have been inspired in part by the ideology of late al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Just before the attack, Artan referred to Awlaki as “our hero” in a post on Facebook.Brian Ross, Mike Levine, Josh Margolin, and Aaron Katersky, “Officials Investigating Anti-US Facebook Rant Believed Linked to OSU Attacker,” ABC News, November 28, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/osu-attack-suspect-identified-abdul-razak-ali-artan/story?id=43827435;
Jonathan Dienst, “18-Year-Old Somali Identified As Ohio State Attack Suspect,” NBC New York, November 28, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/18-Year-Old-Somali-Identified-As-Ohio-State-Attack-Suspect-403425576.html;
Jake Trapper, Twitter post, November 28, 2016, 5:56 p.m., https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/803417243547799552. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack the following day via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, referring to Artan as the group’s “soldier.”Mitch Smith, Rukmini Callimachi, and Richard Perez-Pena, “ISIS Calls Ohio State University Attacker a ‘Soldier,’” New York Times, November 29, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/us/ohio-state-university-abdul-artan-islamic-state.html.

Artan was born in Somalia in 1998 and in 2007, his family fled to Pakistan, where he lived for seven years in a refugee camp. He reportedly came to the United States as a legal permanent resident in 2014 with six family members. Artan studied at a community college in Columbus, Ohio, before transferring to OSU in 2016, were he studied logistics management at the business school.Jonathan Dienst, “18-Year-Old Somali Identified As Ohio State Attack Suspect,” NBC New York, November 28, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/18-Year-Old-Somali-Identified-As-Ohio-State-Attack-Suspect-403425576.html;
“What's known about the OSU attack suspect Abdul Razak Ali Artan,” CBS News, November 28, 2016, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-state-university-attack-whats-known-about-suspect-abdul-razak-ali-artan/; Melissa Korn, Kris Maher, and Pervais Shallwani, “Ohio State University Says Student Carried Out Attack,” Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/ohio-state-university-reports-active-shooter-on-campus-1480347704. In August 2016, he was interviewed by OSU’s school newspaper, The Lantern. Artan spoke to the reporter about what he perceived to be the media’s inaccurate portrayal of Muslims: “I’m a Muslim, it’s not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don’t know what they’re going to think, what’s going to happen.”Kevin Stankiewicz and Jay Panandiker, “From the archives: Ohio State attacker featured in ‘Humans of Ohio State,’” The Lantern, November 28, 2016, http://thelantern.com/2016/11/from-the-archives-ohio-state-attacker-featured-in-humans-of-ohio-state/.

Minutes before carrying out the attack on November 28, Artan reportedly warned in a post on Facebook that Muslims would not cease conducting “lone wolf attacks” until America gave “peace to the Muslims.” In addition to referring to Anwar al-Awlaki as “hero,” Artan expressed his desire to “use a billion infidels in retribution…” and warned that he had reached a “boiling point.”Jake Trapper, Twitter post, November 28, 2016, 5:56 p.m., https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/803417243547799552;
Brian Ross, Mike Levine, Josh Margolin, and Aaron Katersky, “Officials Investigating Anti-US Facebook Rant Believed Linked to OSU Attacker,” ABC News, November 28, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/osu-attack-suspect-identified-abdul-razak-ali-artan/story?id=43827435. Artan reportedly called on the United States to make peace with “dawla in al sham”—purportedly referring to ISIS—or else face continued lone wolf attacks.Jake Trapper, Twitter post, November 28, 2016, 5:56 p.m., https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/803417243547799552;
Brian Ross, Mike Levine, Josh Margolin, and Aaron Katersky, “Officials Investigating Anti-US Facebook Rant Believed Linked to OSU Attacker,” ABC News, November 28, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/US/osu-attack-suspect-identified-abdul-razak-ali-artan/story?id=43827435;
Mitch Smith, Rukmini Callimachi, and Richard Perez-Pena, “ISIS Calls Ohio State University Attacker a ‘Soldier,’” New York Times, November 29, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/us/ohio-state-university-abdul-artan-islamic-state.html. ISIS sympathizers on Twitter and Telegram celebrated the attack using the hashtag #OhioAttack in Arabic, and referred to Artan as “brother.”Mitch Smith, Rukmini Callimachi, and Richard Perez-Pena, “ISIS Calls Ohio State University Attacker a ‘Soldier,’” New York Times, November 29, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/us/ohio-state-university-abdul-artan-islamic-state.html.

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh is a U.S. citizen and former member of the U.S. Army who pled guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 12, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. Jalloh admittedly attempted to donate money to the terror group and carry out a domestic attack in its name.“Former Army National Guard Member Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 5, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-army-national-guard-member-arrested-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.

Jalloh reportedly grew radicalized while serving in the Virginia National Guard between 2009 and 2015.Rachel Weiner and Joe Heim, “Former National Guardsman accused of plotting attack to support ISIS,” Washington Post, July 5, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/former-national-guardsman-accused-of-plotting-attack-to-support-isis/2016/07/05/317eb4f0-42c1-11e6-8856-f26de2537a9d_story.html. According to an FBI affidavit, Jalloh quit the National Guard after he began listening to lectures by deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Media reports referring to Awlaki as a “hate preacher” allegedly prompted Jalloh to research the Yemeni cleric and listen to his online lectures, according to the affidavit. During conversations with an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS) in the first half of 2016, Jalloh allegedly said that Awlaki explained that it was incumbent upon every able Muslim to resist America in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jalloh also said that Awlaki’s lectures helped him to “understand” that after ISIS announced its so-called caliphate, “this was the reality.”“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download.

Following service in the National Guard, Jalloh traveled to Africa, where he stayed between July 2015 and January 2016. While in Nigeria, according to FBI investigators, Jalloh first established contact with an ISIS operative who later introduced Jalloh to the CHS.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 4, 7, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. Jalloh told the CHS in April 2016 that he wished to carry out a domestic attack similar to the Fort Hood shootings carried out by Nidal Hasan in 2009.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 7, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. Jalloh also allegedly spoke about targeting an unidentified person who had organized several “Draw Muhammad” cartoon contests.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 9, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download.

In May 2016, the CHS introduced Jalloh to an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS member.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 10, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. During conversations on an unidentified mobile messaging service, Jalloh allegedly told the agent that it was best to plan an attack during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. He allegedly believed such violent operations were “100 percent the right thing to do,” and he prayed to Allah to make him a martyr.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 8-9, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. Jalloh allegedly gave the agent $500, believing it would reach ISIS’s coffers.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 12, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download.

On July 1, 2016, Jalloh entered the Blue Ridge Arsenal gun store and firing range in Chantilly, Virginia. According to security footage and the store’s owner, Jalloh allegedly tried to purchase a Bushmaster AR-15, but did not have adequate identification.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 13, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download; Rachel Weiner and Joe Heim, “Former National Guardsman accused of plotting attack to support ISIS,” Washington Post, July 5, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/former-national-guardsman-accused-of-plotting-attack-to-support-isis/2016/07/05/317eb4f0-42c1-11e6-8856-f26de2537a9d_story.html. Jalloh returned the following day and purchased a Stag Arms 5.56 caliber assault rifle.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 13, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. The FBI arrested him on July 3 and charged him with attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Jalloh pled guilty on October 27, 2016.“United States of America v. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 3, 2016, 12, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/873091/download. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison on February 10, 2017. In a letter to the court, alloh reportedly renounced ISIS and its “superficial and dishonest interpretation of Islam.”“Ex-Guardsman gets 11 years for Islamic State group support,” Associated Press, February 10, 2017, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c575f77b512d49b4ac5cfa79012f1c05/ex-guardsman-be-sentenced-islamic-state-group-support.

Arcan Cetin was an American permanent resident of Turkish origin accused of murdering five people at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, on September 23, 2016.Christopher Mele and Niraj Chokshi, “Man, 20, in Custody After Fatal Shooting of 5 People in Mall Outside Seattle,” New York Times, September 24, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/us/mall-shooting-washington-state.html?_r=0. Cetin killed all five victims within one minute at the Macy’s department store.Christopher Mele and Niraj Chokshi, “Man, 20, in Custody After Fatal Shooting of 5 People in Mall Outside Seattle,” New York Times, September 24, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/us/mall-shooting-washington-state.html?_r=0;
Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/;
Jody Allard, M. L. Lyke, and Amy B. Wang, “Washington mall suspect confesses to killings,” Washington Post, September 26, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/09/25/after-day-long-manhunt-police-arrest-20-year-old-in-washington-state-mall-killings/?utm_term=.e7fe9aa743ac. According to reports, Cetin had previously maintained a blog featuring photos of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.“Mall shooting suspect had blog with picture of ISIS leader,” Fox News, September 26, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/09/26/mall-shooting-suspect-had-blog-with-picture-isis-leader.html?utm_content=buffer8ace2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer.

Cetin was arrested near his apartment in Oak Harbor at 6:30 p.m. the day after the shooting, and reportedly confessed the crimes to detectives.Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/. Cetin was charged with five counts of premeditated murder.Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/. On April 16, 2017, Cetin was found dead in his prison cell at Snohomish County Jail after apparently committing suicide by hanging.Sara Jean Green, “Arcan Cetin, man accused of killing 5 in Cascade Mall shooting, dies in jail,” Seattle Times, April 17, 2017, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/accused-cascade-mall-shooter-dies-in-snohomish-county-jail/.

In 2014 and 2015, Cetin faced three charges of assault against his stepfather and was banned from owning a firearm.Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/. He was also arrested for drunk driving in 2015.Jody Allard, M. L. Lyke, and Amy B. Wang, “Washington mall suspect confesses to killings,” Washington Post, September 26, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/09/25/after-day-long-manhunt-police-arrest-20-year-old-in-washington-state-mall-killings/?utm_term=.e7fe9aa743ac. That year, a Washington State mental health facility sought to have Cetin involuntarily committed to its institution. Cetin was previously diagnosed or suspected of having 13 different disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/;
Jessie Stensland, “Records show Cascade Mall shooting suspect’s tormented past,” Herald (Everett, WA), October 4, 2016, http://www.heraldnet.com/news/cascade-mall-shooting-suspect-struggled-with-mental-health/. Former schoolmates described Arcan’s proclivity for inappropriately touching girls, vulgar comments, and social awkwardness.Jody Allard, M. L. Lyke, and Amy B. Wang, “Washington mall suspect confesses to killings,” Washington Post, September 26, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/09/25/after-day-long-manhunt-police-arrest-20-year-old-in-washington-state-mall-killings/?utm_term=.e7fe9aa743ac;
Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/. Cetin came to the United States from Turkey when he was six years old.Vernal Coleman and Sara Jean Green, “Man charged in Cascade Mall shooting was getting court-ordered mental health treatment,” Seattle Times, September 26, 2016, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/suspected-cascade-mall-gunman-charged-with-5-counts-of-premeditated-murder/.

Tashfeen Malik was a Pakistani citizen and Islamic extremist who, in December 2015, conducted a terror attack on the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, alongside her husband Syed Rizwan Farook.Pamela Engel, “Here’s the ISIS message the female San Bernardino shooter posted on Facebook during the attack,” Business Insider, December 17, 2015, www.businessinsider.com/isis-message-tashfeen-malik-posted-on-facebook-during-attack-2015-12. According to U.S. officials, Farook self-radicalized online and listened to the lectures of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.“U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: U.S. v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, 8, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800606/download;
Lee Ferran and Brian Ross, “San Bernardino: Ghost of American al-Qaeda Haunts Another US Terror Plot,” ABC News, December 18, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/International/san-bernardino-ghost-american-al-qaeda-haunts-us/story?id=35838795. During the attack, Malik pledged allegiance—on behalf of both herself and Farook—to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi via Facebook.Pamela Engel, “Here’s the ISIS message the female San Bernardino shooter posted on Facebook during the attack,” Business Insider, December 17, 2015, www.businessinsider.com/isis-message-tashfeen-malik-posted-on-facebook-during-attack-2015-12. The attack killed 14 people and wounded 21 others.Eli Saslow and Setephanie McCrummen, “National ‘Where’s Syed?’: How the San Bernardino shooting unfolded,” Washington Post, December 3, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/wheres-syed-how-the-san-bernardino-shooting-unfolded/2015/12/03/2ee90128-9a15-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html. According to family members, Malik was raised in a conservative family in Saudi Arabia, but was likely radicalized while living in Pakistan between 2007 and 2014.Mehreen Zahra-Malik, “Exclusive: Investigators piece together portrait of Pakistani woman in shooting massacre,” Reuters, December 4, 2015, www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-pakistan-idUSKBN0TN1YX20151204.

Malik was born in Pakistan in 1986,Pat St. Claire, Greg Botelho, and Ralph Ellis, “San Bernardino shooter Tashfeen Malik: Who was she?” CNN, December 8, 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/12/06/us/san-bernardino-shooter-tashfeen-malik/. but moved with her family to Saudi Arabia in 1990. Malik returned to Pakistan in 2007 to study pharmacology, and graduated in 2012. Relatives in Pakistan described Malik as devout. According to her aunt, Malik had “become a religious person, and she often [told] people to live according to the teachings of Islam.”F. Brinley Bruton, “Tashfeen Malik, Mom in California Rampage, Became Very Devout: Report,” NBC News, December 6, 2015, www.nbcnews.com/storyline/san-bernardino-shooting/tashfeen-malik-mom-california-rampage-became-very-devout-report-n475031. Pakistani media reported that Malik was affiliated with the Red Mosque in Islamabad, famously connected to the Taliban, though mosque officials deny they had any ties with Malik.F. Brinley Bruton, “Tashfeen Malik, Mom in California Rampage, Became Very Devout: Report,” NBC News, December 6, 2015, www.nbcnews.com/storyline/san-bernardino-shooting/tashfeen-malik-mom-california-rampage-became-very-devout-report-n475031. Malik’s Facebook account had also been previously removed from Facebook for promoting or praising “acts of terror,” according to an official at the company.Mehreen Zahra-Malik, “Exclusive: Investigators piece together portrait of Pakistani woman in shooting massacre,” Reuters, December 4, 2015, www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-pakistan-idUSKBN0TN1YX20151204.

Between 2013 and 2014, Malik studied the Quran in Multan, Pakistan, at the al-Huda Institute, an Islamic school for women. She left before completing her program, telling administrators she was getting married.Pat St. Claire, Greg Botelho, and Ralph Ellis, “San Bernardino shooter Tashfeen Malik: Who was she?” CNN, December 8, 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/12/06/us/san-bernardino-shooter-tashfeen-malik/. In a December 2015 interview, former Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani referred to the area of southern Punjab where Malik studied as an extremist “recruitment ground” and terrorist stronghold.Mehreen Zahra-Malik, “Exclusive: Investigators piece together portrait of Pakistani woman in shooting massacre,” Reuters, December 4, 2015, www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-pakistan-idUSKBN0TN1YX20151204.

During her studies, Malik met Farook, a U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent, on the Internet. In October of 2013, Malik and Farook met in person in Mecca while Farook was on hajj. FBI director James Comey later said that following their meeting in Saudi Arabia, Malik and Farook discussed their “joint commitment to jihad and to martyrdom” in private online messages.Al Baker and Marc Santora, “San Bernardino Attackers Discussed Jihad in Private Messages, F.B.I. Says,” New York Times, December 16, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/12/17/us/san-bernardino-attackers-discussed-jihad-in-private-messages-fbi-says.html?_r=0. In July 2014, Malik was granted a fiancée visa and moved to the United States.Al Baker and Marc Santora, “San Bernardino Attackers Discussed Jihad in Private Messages, F.B.I. Says,” New York Times, December 16, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/12/17/us/san-bernardino-attackers-discussed-jihad-in-private-messages-fbi-says.html?_r=0. The couple wed in Riverside, California, in August 2014, and Malik gave birth to a daughter in May 2015.Jodie Tillman and Imran Ghori, “From baby gifts to building pipe bombs: The motives of shooters Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik remain a mystery,” Orange County Register, December 4, 2015, www.ocregister.com/articles/farook-694761-couple-health.html;
Mehreen Zahra-Malik, “Exclusive: Investigators piece together portrait of Pakistani woman in shooting massacre,” Reuters, December 4, 2015, www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-pakistan-idUSKBN0TN1YX20151204. The FBI estimates that the couple began planning the December 2015 attack before Malik came to the United States.Richard A. Serrano and Brian Bennet, “San Bernardino shooters began plotting attack before their marriage, FBI chief says,” Los Angeles Times, December 9, 2015, www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-san-bernardino-shooters-preplanning-20151209-story.html.

On the morning of December 2, 2015, Farook and Malik entered the Inland Regional Center (IRC) in San Bernardino, where Farook’s employer was hosting a holiday party.Elizabeth Chuck, Tracy Connor, and Mark Schone, “San Bernardino Shooting: What Is the Inland Regional Center?,” NBC News, December 2, 2015, www.nbcnews.com/storyline/san-bernardino-shooting/san-bernardino-shooting-what-inland-regional-center-n473016. Roughly one hour into the event, Farook placed a concealed explosive device on a table and left the premises, though the device failed to detonate. Conspirator Enrique Marquez Jr. later told investigators that Farook had constructed the device using instructions published in AQAP’s English-language magazine Inspire.“U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: U.S. v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, 25-26, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800606/download;
Richard A. Serrano, James Rufus Koren, Richard Winton, and Corina Knoll, “Online loan may have helped couple fund their terror arsenal in San Bernardino attack,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2016, www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-bernardino-shooting-attackers-bomb-mainbar-20151208-story.html. At 11 a.m., Farook and Malik returned to the IRC, dressed in tactical vests and black masks. In less than four minutes, the pair fired 65-75 rounds of bullets, killing 14 people and injuring 21 others.Eli Saslow and Setephanie McCrummen, “National ‘Where’s Syed?’: How the San Bernardino shooting unfolded,” Washington Post, December 3, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/wheres-syed-how-the-san-bernardino-shooting-unfolded/2015/12/03/2ee90128-9a15-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html. During the shooting spree, Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi—on behalf of both herself and Farook—via Facebook.Pamela Engel, “Here’s the ISIS message the female San Bernardino shooter posted on Facebook during the attack,” Business Insider, December 17, 2015, www.businessinsider.com/isis-message-tashfeen-malik-posted-on-facebook-during-attack-2015-12. Farook and Malik fled the scene of the shooting in an SUV, and were apprehended by police near their apartment in the nearby city of Redlands. The pair opened fire on police from their vehicle, and were killed in the ensuing shootout.Greg Botelho, “San Bernardino shooting: Carnage was ‘unspeakable,’ police say,” CNN, December 4, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/us/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html.