Five days after the largest
shooting attack in American history, U.S. leaders are no closer to
identifying the motive of the perpetrator of this tragedy. Yet,
our government assures us this is not
connected to "international terrorism."
With regards to the current
situation as it stands right now, the facts as we know them are this;
- Last spring the Islamic State
released a video targeting Las Vegas using a red smear effect to
show "blood" over the city.
- In September, the Islamic State
issued another threat against Las Vegas.
- Last week the Islamic state
published a message in one of their media outlets admonishing
Muslims to avoid large gatherings of non-Muslims, specifically
including large events where thousands of people gather.
- Sunday night, October 1st in Las
Vegas, Stephen Paddock fired on a crowd of approximately 22,000
people at a country music concert.
- On Monday October 2nd, the Islamic
State claimed responsibly for this attack. Later that day they
issued a second message confirming the Las Vegas attack was
conducted by a "soldier of the caliphate" and
"martyr." Several hours later early Tuesday
morning EST the Islamic state issued a third message reconfirming
the Las Vegas attack was their operation.
- On Thursday October 5th, the Islamic
State released a new video showing the red smear
"blood" over the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
- There is no record of the Islamic
state ever claiming responsibility of an operation that did not
turn out to be a jihadi attack (Note: June attack in Philippines
was claimed by the Islamic State. While government officials
there call the event a "robbery," credible analysis of
the incident makes a strong case that was an IS operation).
See the article
this week in the Atlantic making the same case.
- The sheriff leading the
investigation effort publicly stated it is his opinion Paddock
was not operating alone.
- It has been confirmed that Paddock
wired $100,000 to the Philippines before this operation.
- Paddock filmed himself during the
attack.
- Paddock conducted pre-operational
reconnaissance on the Las Vegas target (Mandalay) but other
similar targets in other cities as well.
- Biographical information on Paddock
indicates no prior military or law enforcement experience.
- Beside numerous weapons, explosives were
found in Paddock's vehicle and in one of his residences.
Here is what we can learn
from these facts:
Paddock's conduct and
behavior suggest he is capable in pre-mission planning, conducting
reconnaissance, logistical planning, weapons handling, explosives
handling, and executing a mission.
Without law enforcement
and/or military training, where was Paddock trained?
Who trained Paddock?
In light of these facts the
most viable assessment at this point continues to be that the Las
Vegas attack was a Jihadi operation.
For those who disagree, the
question is "What is the alternative assessment at this
point?"
The media's go-to
assessment immediately following the event that Paddock
"snapped" from some sort of psychological "event"
was shattered when we learned about his months of preparation and
pre-mission reconnaissance.
In the end, we are left
with the deadliest shooting attack in US history perpetrated by a man
about whom little is known, but yet someone who was trained and
prepared for this mission.
While UTT understands there
are several other possibilities for a motive in this attack, none of
them are reasonable in light of the current facts.
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