Another Jihadi?
Let's not rush to judgment
So was this arrest in Queens evidence of another imminent terrorist attack?
Maybe — but right now, the facts to support that aren’t fully there.
Did the cops who stopped him do a great job? Did they likely prevent something bad from happening? Yes to both.
But at this writing, the actual terrorist intent — required for any terrorism charge — doesn’t seem apparent. There are overtones, but… we’re just not there yet.
And as for the proximity to LaGuardia airport: Well, short of some cockamamie scheme to take over the control tower, I’m not seeing that, either. This guy was living in his car. I don’t he even had enough money for a ticket. And I don’t see him attempting to get any of those weapons on a plane (which he wouldn’t be able to, anyway).
But that said: kudos to those patrol cops. Because whatever the inspiration, this guy was headed down a dark path.
Here’s my (quick) take — and the larger lesson embedded here:
Excellent observation! If NYC dodged a bullet, was it a BIG bullet or just an average sized bullet from the run of the mill crazy? If you call "WOLF" too often, after awhile, some wolf will eat you. The magazines were apparently all filled to capacity. Where the mags all designed for Glocks or were other brands also present. (We ASSUME they were all 9 mm.) Did the subject plan on delivering the weapons to someone else (acting as a mule) or was he the future terrorist? Before leaping to conclusions, we should observe our landing zone.