I’ll bet he left his home and wife back in IL right after he read that article. The timeline fits. The problem for an assassin is finding a low-security high-probability venue to attack. Parking a white van in DC and living in it while waiting to shoot somebody in a motorcade was near zero odds. A baseball practice field in suburban Alexandria with a YMCA for showers and Wi-Fi was PERFECT.
Agreed. It would be interesting to see when/where/how this douchebag obtained his weapon. On the surface, it seems he was not particularly proficient in its use. Luckily, at least one of the police was apparently proficient in the use of his, and prevented a total bloodbath.
Illinois requires a Firearms Owner's ID for ANY firearms purchase; if he brought the rifle from IL with him, it'll be real interesting to see if he had an Illinois FOID. If not, how'd he purchase a weapon in Virginia...or was it supplied to him?
And note also: The NY Times also had a story ready to go blaming the Bernie Sanders movement as being responsible for the shooting's motivation. Almost like they had it ready in advance....