MSNBC is playing an interview with the Assistant Imam from the Mosque that the shooter attended. Apparently last night, the FBI showed up at the Imam’s door with a gun drawn.
This is from the individual and of course can’t be corroborated but if true, it’s disturbing. That’s not how we operate in this country… and if it is, I’m terrified for our future. No one showed up to (insert white/Christian) mass shooter’s pastor’s door with a gun drawn.
We should not EVER fall into the trap of assuming that people are guilty before evidence otherwise. That is one of our very, very basic principles. When we go down that path, well, let’s just say that history doesn’t show it panning out too well… ever.
To be fair there was the possibility that these attackers had associates (and may still) so it isn’t unusual that they would take precautions and question the Imam.
If it’s true, and not an exaggeration, than perhaps the FBI had reason to be concerned for their lives in this case. There were obviously many people helping this couple. It’s pretty darn easy to assume everyone is innocent until proven guilty… until it’s you or your loved ones butt in the line of fire.
He attended that mosque. There wasn’t evidence that he was radicalized at that mosque but in going to the Imam to question they were taking precautions. The Imam was obviously cleared pretty quickly and was on tv last night and just now so it isn’t like he is being detained. They just had 3 guys who attend the mosque and know the guy on. They were also flummoxed saying that the shooter appeared to be living “The American Dream”. They said that he was there last week I believe and something about a goat - the wife was also there but in full abaya so they saw her but didn’t. The shooters may have viewed that as some kind of final cleansing ritual - but those interviewed seemed just as mystified as everyone else.
It is easy and probably natural to be suspicious of everyone when “it’s you or your loved ones butt in the line of fire” but that does not make it right. IMHO.
When they went to question the Imam they were trying to see if they were on the trail of a larger cell with further imminent action based on the weapons, bombs and crime profile up to that point. Obviously they didn’t rough him up or haul him in.
“It is easy and probably natural to be suspicious of everyone when “it’s you or your loved ones butt in the line of fire” but that does not make it right. IMHO.”
Yet since you don’t actually know the details, FBI procedures, or if it even happened, you really don’t know if it’s right, do you?
Post 380 said “Apparently last night, the FBI showed up at the Imam’s door with a gun drawn.” Questioning the Iman is reasonable, showing up at his door with a gun drawn I am not sure.
“Post 380 said “Apparently last night, the FBI showed up at the Imam’s door with a gun drawn.” Questioning the Iman is reasonable, showing up at his door with a gun drawn I am not sure.”
And I don’t know either. I don’t know if that is standard procedure, as far as questioning associates of mass murder terror suspects or not. I suspect in the middle of something like this, they might have their guns ready when they don’t know what they are walking into. I’d hope they are highly trained to not pull the trigger like some cops do, but I can’t begrudge them for being ready to protect their lives, only if they shoot prematurely. I am not trained in their job.
This is our new reality. We do need to read and heed. As the article points out, the average American does not have military or police training. I remember my military veteran dh confiding to me one time that wherever we went, the very first thing he always does is to assess where exits are. He had been trained.
So, now, we need to start this type training right up there with learning to drive a car for instance.
We were trained at the hospital for an active shooter situation. The hardest thing for any of us to do is to accept that it is happening so we can act quickly, make decisions as to what to do next.
It is what it is. Welcome to a new era.
My workplace has a plan. That is somewhat reassuring to me. What is less reassuring is the absence of rooms with doors that lock. And almost every room has windows.
Has anyone seen a picture of the wife Tasheen Malik? There have been several pictures of him, but I haven’t seen any of her. I would have thought that one of the news outlets would have obtained some snapshot of her. I find it a bit odd in this day and age that there would be no photos of her.