Tag: Christmas market

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.

Texas man accused of threatening to slaughter Capital One execs who robbed him of ‘life he deserves.’

A customer at an impasse with Capital One over a disputed debt is facing a half-decade in federal prison after allegedly vowing to assassinate those executives he held responsible for having “ruined” his life. In a December 12 email, Houston, Texas resident Taylor Bullard told the bank’s collections agency that he had already paid the amount in question and that they were chasing him in error, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed upon his arrest eight days later.

In the email, Bullard wrote “Call me before I show up to one of their locations with a machete and gasoline. You have ruined my ability to buy a home. I’m 34 with a 100k+ job and it’s time I target the people and companies that have ruined my ability to live the life I deserve. I will be coming after your executive team personally.”

Analyst Comments:

There continues to be an alarming level of commentary, particularly online, that portrays an acceptance of targeting executives and VIPs since the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Religious leaders could equally fall into this category, with the potential for lone actors to conduct targeted violence based on real or perceived injustices.

Members are encouraged to review the FB-ISAO Weekly Report published on 12 December 2024 for a further review of personal protection best practices for high-profile individuals.

Bomb threat at Lakewood Church determined to be fake; no explosives found

A bomb threat was called into Lakewood Church on Tuesday evening, prompting an investigation by the Houston Police Department. The call was received at 6:42 p.m. with reports a man threatened to blow up the church with a device attached to Sarin Gas. Officers identified the man and connected him to a separate call earlier in the day.

• Man charged after threatening to release poisonous gas during Christmas Eve service at Lakewood (video)
• Bond set for man accused of threatening to release poisonous gas during Christmas Eve service at Lakewood Church

Analyst Comments:

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has compiled several resources for communities and faith leaders, including compendium of resources for securing mass gatherings and public spaces. Training resources, services, and tools on bomb threats can be found on CISA’s bomb resource website.

Additional resources include:

• DHS Bomb Threat Checklist
• Bomb Threat Guide
• Critical Resources for Handling Bomb Threats Video
• What to Do: Bomb Threat Video

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.

Follow Up to Magdeburg Christmas Market Vehicle Ramming Attack

German police contacted suspect weeks before Christmas market attack

Yahoo!news reports:

On Monday, Tamara Zieschang, the interior minister of the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, told lawmakers in Magdeburg that police met the man twice – in September 2023 and October 2024 – to warn him about his behaviour.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry of the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern said that Taleb A became known to authorities as a potential suspect in 2015.

Related Articles:

• German authorities received tipoffs last year about the suspect in Christmas market attack
• Saudi warnings about market attack suspect were ignored
• Saudi doctor who crashed into German Christmas market, killing at least 5, is an anti-Islam activist: report
• Heightened security at Strasbourg Christmas market after attack in Germany
• German Christmas market ramming is the latest attack to use vehicles as deadly weapons

Analyst Comments:

Vehicle ramming attacks continue to be a low-cost and low-tech method used by terrorist organizations and violent individuals.

Despite the lack of actions by authorities before the most recent Christmas market attack, See Something, Say Something remains one of the best ways to prevent an attack. The 18 December 2024 Daily Awareness Post  detailed how to recognize the signs of a future attack.  

When holding outdoor events, Faith-Based Organizations should consider security measures to prevent a vehicle attack. CISA’s Vehicle Ramming Mitigation website provides guidance to protect against vehicle ramming incidents.

Individuals attending outdoor events should always be aware of their surrounds and have two ways to exit the gathering.

Season’s Greetings

Even with all the issues around the world, the Daily Awareness Post team wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. May you and your families have a faithful, peaceful, and fulfilling holiday.