FBI digs into suspect’s phone, social media to uncover motive in DC National Guard shooting
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former New York Police Department Officer Paul Mauro appeared on ‘Fox & Friends’, on Thursday, November 27, to discuss the recent National Guard ambush in Washington, DC.
The Fox News contributor was asked why he believed that the ambush was being considered an "act of terror," and he explained that there was a “fact pattern that played out.”
He also said that the FBI’s next steps in the ongoing investigation would be to go through the shooter’s phone.
Paul Mauro claims the shooter likely had an 'ideological purpose'
The former inspector explained that the shooter, who has since been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, started shooting at a group of people. Paul added that it was likely a “s****de mission.”
“You start thinking, 'ok, we likely have an ideological purpose,'” he said.
The Fox News contributor then explained that after identifying the ideological and political purposes, one starts “getting into the terrorism realm,” considering that the shooter opened fire while in federal jurisdiction.
Mauro further pointed out that the people whom the Afghan national shot were also federal employees.
“It brings you under that rubric of a federal charge,” he added.
Mauro stated that after things settle down, the shooter would likely be charged with terrorism, attempted murder, or terrorism enhancement.
Paul Mauro on the FBI's next steps in the investigation
Paul Mauro also chimed in on the FBI’s next steps in the ongoing investigation. He said that they were going to go through the shooter’s phone.
Mauro added that it might be hard, but they would get there and go through any social media accounts he had. The former police officer also said that while the FBI would conduct interviews, there is nuance in terrorism cases.
“It’s a little bit counterintuitive, the way it goes with the perp,” he stated.
Mauro stated that the problem wasn’t with getting them to talk; it was getting them to keep quiet.
He added that “they do these sorts of things to send a message.” Explaining further, Mauro noted that in such cases when attackers survived, they wanted to talk and “recount their grievances.”
“Set themselves up as a hero, I wanted to be a martyr,” Mauro stated.
The former police officer also added that the FBI would likely get a "disjointed narrative," but that the investigators would have to keep taking notes because while he might seem “all over the place,” Mauro was positive that he would give them a motive himself.
