Nashville bombing fears “lone wolf” terrorist threats

He Nashville bombing is provoking new concerns about the “lone wolf” terrorist threats in the United States. Investigators believe the Nashville bomber acted alone in carrying out the blast that shook the city center at Christmas. Three people were injured and dozens of buildings were damaged in the area.

The “lone wolf” attackers have proven to be one of the hardest to stop for law enforcement. Studies show that they are often “more educated and socially isolated than group-based actors.” Said Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League.

“Sometimes subjects in the ‘lone wolf’ style choose to commit their crimes not in a period of months,” he said, “but in a matter of minutes.”

Although the Nashville bombing has not been characterized as an act of internal terrorism, the number of cases of internal terrorism under FBI investigation has been on the rise in recent years. Such attacks can be motivated by any number of grievances.

“I think they all fit into the anti-government and anti-authority category. It ranges from violent anarchist extremists to militia types,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Although the militia that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had earlier this year had a clear reason (to end state closures COVID-19), it is often more difficult for researchers to determine what is motivated by “lone wolves,” as is the case in Nashville.

“It becomes very difficult to identify the nature of this individual and the crime he was trying to commit,” Greenblatt said.

Authorities have Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, as a terrorist. Warner is believed to have died in the explosion of his RV. Before the explosion, he gave away some of his belongings and said he had cancer. The FBI is investigating whether this is true.

“Clearly, there was a rash event that sparked the action,” said David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Office of Investigation.

Mola Lenghi contributed to this report.