[Sender]

Some people here will be almost distraught with disappointment if and when (as is likely) it turns out to have nothing to do with Islam

Maybe not. But consider the scenario, gunmen apparently randomly shooting people at a mall. What would the benefit be to gangstas to shoot up the mall? None. They would suffer greatly for no benefit. Drug dealers? Hardly. What result could come other than a harsh crackdown on them? Robbers? They didn't even enter the stores.

Also consider that the likely survivability of such a mall shooting is very low for the shooters, ie a suicide mission. If anyone has any reasonable theory as to why people would do such a thing other than Islam, let's hear it.

[cripplecreek]

I'm just waiting for things to shake out and see where the story goes at this point.

[Strategerist]

Also consider that the likely survivability of such a mall shooting is very low for the shooters, ie a suicide mission. If anyone has any reasonable theory as to why people would do such a thing other than Islam, let's hear it.

Mental Illness?

There have been a variety of mass close range shootings in public places in the US (Remember that McDonald's) and none of them have had anything to do with Islam.

[marajade]

" What would the benefit be to gangstas to shoot up the mall? None."

Initiation.

[R. Scott]

Maybe not. But consider the scenario, gunmen apparently randomly shooting people at a mall. What would the benefit be to gangstas to shoot up the mall? None.

The experience here in the Hampton Roads area is that few if any of the gang bangers know anything more about firearms than (possibly) from which end the bullet exits. Most of the shootouts result in bystanders being hit, and not the intended targets.

[ontos-on]

such an attack by islamic terrorists on a middle of america type of mall was a scenario in a recent TomClancy book. Can't recall the title right now. Something like the "eye of the tiger".

[elhombrelibre]

I agree with you. What kind of motive can three men have for starting off shooting as soon as they enter? You're not exactly going to sneak away. You're going to create a panic that may not help when you want to gather up the jewelry. You're drawing attention that will lead to what we have now, a lock down, a SWAT team, etc.

[Vicki]

What would the benefit be to gangstas to shoot up the mall? None. They would suffer greatly for no benefit. Drug dealers? Hardly. What result could come other than a harsh crackdown on them? Robbers? They didn't even enter the stores.

Also consider that the likely survivability of such a mall shooting is very low for the shooters, ie a suicide mission. If anyone has any reasonable theory as to why people would do such a thing other than Islam, let's hear it.

What you said makes sense. These guys were not robbers and it doesn't seem to be a gang retaliation since they randomly shot people.

[Sender]

Well given the facts, obviously this was not TROP®. However if the initial scenario as reported by the news had proven accurate, ie multiple gunmen with 'machine guns' randomly targeting civilians in the mall, I would stand by my assessment.