[cynwoody]

might have been staking out the fbi building and just followed someone home

Too risky. What if she notices she's being followed and calls down hell on the pursuer?

But I think the main reason she wasn't specifically targeted is that it would be contrary to the assassin's goal, which is to instill terror in the general public.

[lonevoice]

Also, the shooter picks out his location well before the shootings take place. The Home Depot fit with the type of locations being selected (steady stream of possible targets, easy getaways, someplace within shooting range to lie in wait). The location is relevant, the target is random.

[txhurl]

Yes, but in order to effectively terrorize you have to instill fear in government, as well.

We sheep are in no position to negotiate for anything the terrorists might want. We're just the hostages.