Good thought in #1209.
The shooter could just have easily picked off the police officer. But he didn't. This is, imho, significant.
It could be, as you note, the target was chosen specifically because it was under Mr. Policeman's nose. Which suggests that the shooter is in a personal competition with police. He doesn't want to kill Mr. Policeman. He wants to beat him.
Or--maybe the shooter is following a very specific set of rules on the kills. Is this a scavenger hunt of some sort? Only civilians on the shopping list (so far.) So are these self-imposed rules of the game, or does the shooter not have the authority to alter the game plan, even when a (presumably) higher-scoring kill presents itself?
Which brings me to the question: In what game do civilian kills score highest? Terrorism.
It could be, as you note, the target was chosen specifically because it was under Mr. Policeman's nose. Which suggests that the shooter is in a personal competition with police. He doesn't want to kill Mr. Policeman. He wants to beat him. Yep. And I think it goes back to the Fuhrman comment. That cops are not God, but that the shooter IS God. That the shooter is the one in control. That a cop can be 50 yards from you and still NOT be able to protect you!
Or--maybe the shooter is following a very specific set of rules on the kills. Is this a scavenger hunt of some sort? Only civilians on the shopping list (so far.) So are these self-imposed rules of the game, or does the shooter not have the authority to alter the game plan, even when a (presumably) higher-scoring kill presents itself?
I think there is a plan.
Which brings me to the question: In what game do civilian kills score highest? Terrorism.
This terrorism, no doubt about it. But, in my opinion, its homegrown. Civilian equals high score? I doubt it! Civilians would be at the bottom of the food chain, imo.