I think its much more likely an attack on a shopping mall than a school.
If you think about it, the average shopping mall personafies everything these homicidal maniacs hiding behind religion hate. From capitalizm, to consumerism. And everything in between.
A massacre at a public school would have the exact opposite effect the jihadists desire, worldwide.
A shopping mall, however, is ‘spinable’ along the lines of what they abhor about the West.
I’ve always thought that simultaneous attacks on several major universities was a distinct possibility, since college campuses are one of the few places where Middle Eastern types can easily blend in.
However, a “shopping mall” is a bit fractured for them to gather up people....schools would be easier to control.....in stores you’d have more adults who would think about running out back doors, etc....and scattering....in schools....it would be different....mostly children who would not think about running away.
I see a sporting event as more likely myself - again, it ties in with your theory of decadence, time-wasting, and pure unneccessary. And then, as you said, it becomes so easily ‘spinnable.’
At any shopping mall in Pennsylvania (and most other states), they will encounter dozens of CCW holders. Schools are disarmed targets
Not really. How much change has there been in world opinion since Beslan?