Distinguishing+“Loner”+Attacks+from+Other+Domestic+Extremist+Violence

This article examine whether “lone wolf” attacks that happen (ex. Charleston church shooting) are any different than attacks carried out by far right extremist groups (ex. Birmingham church bombing). While there are many studies out showing the differences socially and psychologically between lone offenders and the general population, there aren’t many that compare them to right wing extremists. The author states that although it seems like these people are working independently many far right leaders, such as Louis Beam, encourage their followers to commit violent acts alone to appear isolated from any political motivation and so that the groups they are a apart of aren’t held responsible criminally. This article pertains to my paper because it describes to tactics that many domestic terrorist organizations use. They have solo actors within their groups that are willing to carry out destructive acts and instead of it being seen as a product of a hate group, they are seen as random acts of violence. This in turn, directs less attention on these groups and more on terrorists organizations from other countries.

Gruenewald, Jeff, Steven Chermak, and Joshua D. Freilich. "Distinguishing “Loner” Attacks from Other Domestic Extremist Violence." //Criminology & Public Policy//. Criminology & Public Policy, 23 July 2013. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.