They could tell. They were most likely groomed on line by the 764 network or some other accelerationist network.
Accelerationists can justify killing anyone of any group - even their own- in the belief that it will cause division and or trigger a cycle of revenge that will grow out of control and destabilize government and society.
It is roughly the same thought process behind Manson’s Helter Skelter, the SBA, the Weather Underground, Nation of Islam, Zizians, and even the Iranian regime (which believes it will make room for the Mahdi to reveal himself.
Identity politics in action. Set everyone against everyone. Take over in the aftermath of a devastating modern version of tribalistic war.
Well said.