You are correct to learn from this. And as I have said in other posts, the same type of element exists in most cities, just waiting for a disaster to bring them out of the woodwork. It's always good to be prepared for disasters, and the varmints who will be roaming the streets and highways afterwards.
The Koreans in LA during the rodney king riots had the correct preparation. I personally bought a locking gas cap yesterday and may buy a firearm tommorrow.