More Than Suicide? Doubtful
Wizbang is discussing the possibility that the Oklahoma Suicide Bomber was really a failed terrorist. I still don’t buy it, though. I started seeing sites like Northeast Intelligence Network yesterday that proposed the same thing. However, looking at this picture, the “blast” doesn’t appear to have done much damage to the surrounding area. The grass looks worn from walkers, not explosives, and the pole doesn’t look like anything has happened.
Until the FBI releases a formal report, this is all idle speculation, and doesn’t seem to hold up to scrutiny.
While I agree on waiting for the FBI’s report, you already have drawn a conclusion based on the initial reporting “I … don’t buy it.”
Is this wishful thinking?
The individual fits the initial ‘odd-duck’ personality you see in many young Christian male converts to Islam, along with it’s erratic behavior.
The part of the reporting that had him trying to by ammonium nitrate is an indicator of larger plans.
Lastly, suicide by explosives, is virtually unheard of outside of those who mean to take others with them.
That alone would suggest a homicide bomber wannabee.
Comment by WalkerNY — October 5, 2005 @ 10:43 am
Perhaps, but I’m reacting more to the size of the explosion than anything else. He wasn’t in a crowded area at the time, and didn’t seem to have a lot of explosives to do much more than take himself out. That makes me lean (for now) towards the dramatic suicide angle.
There are the Eric Harris and Dylan Klebolds of the world who intend to suicide in a dramatic fashion. With the focus on suicide bombers in the Middle East the last few years, it’s just as likely if not moreso.
Comment by Nemo — October 5, 2005 @ 12:59 pm
I’m not saying this was terrorism (needs more investigation) but I would point out that the level of disturbance at the detonation site may be irrelevant. If the weapon was designed primarily to kill people (and it’s now reported that he tried to gain access to the stadium during the game) it might have spread shrapnel all over the place without leaving a mark on the ground.
Comment by Mister Silverback — October 7, 2005 @ 9:03 pm
Both the stadium access report and shrapnel report are uncorroborated, and have not been reported by any reputable media outlet. The University has gone on record saying Hinrichs was not sold a ticket. Is it possible? Yes. However, until I see independent confirmation or a final FBI report, I’m not going to go off the deep end saying it’s terrorism. I want more data before coming to that conclusion. Right now the data is hard to come by, making idle speculation both easy and dangerous.
Comment by Nemo — October 8, 2005 @ 7:22 am