Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 14 June 2023

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against, and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Gunman Used Social Media to Attack Jews Before Deadly Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, Jurors Learn

During the current trial of the Tree of Life synagogue shooter, it was revealed that he ranted incessantly on social media about his hatred of Jewish people before the 2018 attack. CNN reported earlier that he posted “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” minutes before the attack. 

Analyst Comment: Numerous assailants have posted threatening messages to social media before following through with a violent attack. Given that social media threats are a possible indicator, security plans should include a reporting mechanism for all types of threats to include social media threats. The U.S. Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators 2021 (dni.gov) discusses indicators, including social media use.

Nigerian priest returning from pastoral duties shot dead

Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi was shot dead on Wednesday, June 7. The murder of Igechi is the latest in a series of attacks that have targeted members of the clergy in Nigeria. Murders of Christians has been an ongoing problem in Nigeria and other African nations. Earlier this month, the Christian Post reported  the murder of 43 Christians.  The Christian Post also  reported that over 3.400 Christians were killed in 2021

Analyst Comment:. Faith-Based Organizations that are preparing for missions should consider having a good understanding of the threat environment in the country they plan to visit. The State Department is a good place to start.

Two Michigan State shooting survivors plan to sue, citing MSU negligence

Two critically injured survivors of the Michigan State University campus shooting say they intend to sue the university, citing more than a dozen ways they contend MSU was negligent in failing to prevent the violence.  CBS reported in 2019 that MGM Resorts will pay victims between $753 million and $800 million.

Analyst Comment: Preparedness is a continuum. Plans should be reviewed, revised, and exercised. The FB-ISAO Resource Library has an abundance of resources to assist faith-based organizations with their preparedness plans.