This from the Florida Sun-Sentinel from last night:
Accused airport shooter Esteban Santiago told investigators after his arrest that he communicated with Islamic State terrorists or sympathizers in “jihadi chat rooms” before he killed five people in Fort Lauderdale, authorities said in court Tuesday.
Whether that’s true is not clear. Prosecutors and agents are still combing through electronic devices Santiago may have used, looking for evidence to show whether he was radicalized and whether he actually visited those terrorist chat rooms and websites, law enforcement sources said.
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A few dodgy websites had suggested something like this almost immediately after the airport attack, including claims that Santiago had converted to Islam many years ago and posted in jihadist chat rooms. There hasn’t been much serious reporting on the subject so far, but the suspect’s assertion to police of a connection to Islamic terrorist sympathizers looks like a good reason to follow up as the investigation continues.
The ability of foreign terrorist groups like the Islamic State to inspire attacks without actually being involved in the planning or execution is actually a reason to fear them more, not less. It potentially extends their reach beyond anyone’s ability to monitor them. It’s also even more worrisome given Santiago’s apparently shaky mental health, because disturbed people can also be radicalized and manipulated. And given that most ISIS-inspired terrorists don’t let themselves be taken alive, as Santiago did, we might not always find out about the connection.
