Lone-wolf terrorism presents a unique challenge for security agencies worldwide. Unlike organized terrorist groups, lone-wolves operate independently, making their detection and prevention exceptionally difficult for security personnel. Concentric’s team of intelligence analysts used recent and historical examples to examine the profile of lone-wolf terrorists, their motivations, and implications for security teams, to illustrate the complexities of addressing this complex threat.
Matthew Thomas Crooks: A Case Study
On paper, Matthew Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel, Pennsylvania, does not objectively fit the traditional profile of a lone-wolf assassin. Crooks was a high school graduate living with his parents and working as a dietary aide in a nursing home. His minimal social media presence and lack of alarming behavior makes his case particularly challenging for security experts. How does a seemingly ordinary individual decide to attempt assassinating a former President and current presidential candidate?
As the FBI conducts forensic analysis on Crooks’ personal devices, Concentric’s analysts are reviewing the complicated profile of lone-wolf terrorism, how individual radicalization cannot be predicted, and how to identify individuals who are intent on committing such acts.
Understanding Lone-Wolf Indicators
A lone-wolf is defined as an individual who commits violent acts of terrorism alone or with a small group, without formal ties to a terrorist organization. These individuals often act independently, driven by personal motivations that blend with political, social, or religious grievances. Unlike organized terrorists, some lone-wolf assassins such as Crooks, rarely leave a clear sign of their intentions, making their detection and prevention highly challenging, while others do.
Recent reports indicate Crooks was bullied almost daily in school and often found himself alone. Classmates reported he attempted to join the school’s Shooting Club but was denied entry due to being a “terrible” shot. During the shooting, Crooks wore a shirt featuring a YouTuber known for shooting modified weapons. These factors suggest Crooks’ psychological vulnerability, compounded by social rejection, probably made him susceptible to seeking validation through extremist ideologies. Other low profile, lone-wolf actors, include:
- Karst Tates (2009): On Queen’s Day in the Netherlands, Karst Tates drove his vehicle into a crowd attempting to assassinate the Dutch Royal Family. Tates had no known criminal history, left no indication of his plans, and acted entirely alone. His actions resulted in the deaths of eight people, including himself.
- Major Nidal Malik Hassan (2009): Hassan, a U.S. Army psychiatrist, committed a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 people. He developed a PowerPoint presentation entitled “The Koranic World View as it Relates to Muslims in the U.S. Military” before the attack, indicating his radicalization. However, he acted alone.
The diversity in backgrounds, motivations, and methods among lone-wolf terrorists complicates efforts to establish a standardized profile. While some, like Hassan, provided clear indications of their radicalization, others, like Tates and Crooks, offered no warnings. Lone-wolves often become radicalized through a complex interplay of personal, psychological, social, and external factors. Several indicators and methods can assist security teams in identifying these potential actors including:
- Behavioral Indicators: Sudden adoption of radical ideologies can occur due to changes in behavior and social interactions. These might include: withdrawal from family and friends, and participation in usual activities.
- Online Activity: Often, lone-wolf actors increase their internet activity, particularly on nefarious and extremist websites. Monitoring social media posts and internet search history that directly or indirectly express extremist views or indicate desire to commit acts of terror can help to identify these individuals. For example, Crook’s vehicle contained bomb-making equipment, likely obtained with knowledge and instructions from online sources.
- Unusual Acquisitions: Purchasing weapons, ammunition or materials used for acts of terror, along with suspicious financial transactions, can be key indicators of lone-wolf terrorism.
- Personal Crises and Isolationism: Many lone-wolves harbor personal grievances driving them toward radical ideologies, including experiences of perceived discrimination, social isolation, and economic hardship. Individuals in crisis, searching for identity and belonging, are also particularly vulnerable to extremist ideologies.
Security Implications: How to Protect Yourself from Radicalized Individuals
The lack of a standardized profile and the solitary nature of lone-wolf terrorists pose significant challenges for security agencies. Traditional methods of detecting and preventing organized terrorist activities are less effective against individuals acting independently. Security professionals are then left with the question: How do we protect against individuals with diverse and unpredictable motivations?
Concentric’s team of experts are here to protect you, your family, and your business interests from unpredictable situations and during this heightened political season. We can help you by:
- Monitoring Online Interactions: Concentric’s Active Monitoring can track any mentions of yourself, your family, or your business to alert you of any threats or reputational risks. Analysis and Trends reports which can alert you of emerging threats and risks.
- Preparing for Risks in Potentially Volatile Areas: Concentric’s team of dedicated analysts can author periodic updates and travel risk assessments to help you plan for, and monitor any developments during any upcoming travel or event attendance.
- Implementing Security Protocols: Executive protection agents can protect you, your business operations, and provide you with real-time threat monitoring of your home and workspace.
- Strengthening Communication Channels: Concentric’s investigators and in-house experts are trained to identify and assess potential indicators of violence.
Protecting Personal Information: Eclipse by Concentric™ can remove unwanted personal identifiable information from tracking websites which can be used to target you, your family, and your staff, including as you plan upcoming business and travel.
