International Terror Expert Reports on Vegas Killer Stephen Paddock and ISIS

Rita Katz from the very reputable SITE Intelligence Group released a series of statements on Stephen Paddock, the Las Vegas mass murderer.

On Monday ISIS took responsibility for the attack. And in a rare move released a follow-up statement to say Paddock had converted to Islam in recent months.

Rita Katz published a string of 23 tweets on the Las Vegas terrorist attack.

1) BREAKING: #ISIS‘ Amaq claims #LasVegas shooting. Surprising as it sounds, statement issued on legit primary source.

BREAKING: #ISIS claimed #LasVegas attack, reporting through ‘Amaq that executor is one of its “soldiers” & he converted to Islam months ago pic.twitter.com/4E85vEIUzH

— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) October 2, 2017

2) Interestingly, Amaq released 2 statements: one claiming attacker as an #ISIS soldier, & 2nd that he ”converted to Islam” months ago

2) Interestingly, Amaq released 2 statements: one claiming attacker as an #ISIS soldier, & 2nd that he ”converted to Islam” months ago pic.twitter.com/myYfzGvK5m

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

3) Given what is known of attacker Stephen Paddock, #ISIS needs evidence. Otherwise, might make ISIS appear (more) desperate for claims

4) Rare event that #ISIS news agency Amaq releases a follow-up statement (i.e.its follow-up about Paddock purportedly converting to Islam)…

5) Prior to claim, #ISIS supporters didn’t suspect connection to group,but ISIS linked Aswirati Media was already posting celebratory images

5) Prior to claim, #ISIS supporters didn’t suspect connection to group,but ISIS linked Aswirati Media was already posting celebratory images pic.twitter.com/3XTeWb4yoD

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

6) Tho rare, Amaq follow-up claim was needed on #ISIS’ part: currently no known radical religious element to Paddock’s background

7) #ISIS appears to be doubling down on its claim for #LasVegas as Amaq statements being further disseminated in different languages.

7) #ISIS appears to be doubling down on its claim for #LasVegas as Amaq statements being further disseminated in different languages. pic.twitter.com/ecTVGjvclM

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

8) Not clear if promise for proof or threat, but pro-#ISIS message states that those saying it “has nothing to do” w attack will “regret” it

8) Not clear if promise for proof or threat, but pro-#ISIS message states that those saying it “has nothing to do” w attack will “regret” it pic.twitter.com/TRtBXjIwMU

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

9) Of all #ISIS claims of attacks, #LasVegasShooting is the strangest. Such attackers usually show indicators online ,travels, history, etc

10) As of today, #ISIS’ Amaq has claimed the two largest shootings in recent US history: #Orlando, and now #LasVegas

11) In neither case, however, did #ISIS provide proof. #OrlandoShooting claim came hours after media reported Mateen’s #ISIS / #AQ pledge

12) Not surprising that despite no proof by #ISIS, supporters believe it, mocking US intel, & #Trump for saying he’d “destroy the Caliphate”

12) Not surprising that despite no proof by #ISIS, supporters believe it, mocking US intel, & #Trump for saying he’d “destroy the Caliphate” pic.twitter.com/64A7kSlG70

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

13) #BREAKING: #ISIS issues official communique on #LasVegas attack, identifying Paddock as “Abu Abd Abdulbar al-Ameriki”

13) #BREAKING: #ISIS issues official communique on #LasVegas attack, identifying Paddock as “Abu Abd Abdulbar al-Ameriki” pic.twitter.com/lqHmY2BLgC

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

14) The communique, however, offered no proof of attacker Stephen Paddock’s support or connection to #ISIS.

15) ISIS gives unverifiable (as of yet) narrative: Paddock, responding to Baghdadi’s incitements, did “precise” surveillance of venue prior

16)Text in the communique similar to others by #ISIS, tho 1st to frame attack as “response”specifically to”Baghdadi” https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/is-issues-formal-communique-for-las-vegas-attack-identifies-shooter-as-abu-abdul-barr-al-amriki.html …

17) Important to note btwn Amaq statements vs official communiques: former more open-ended, latter imply degree of knowledge or connection

18) Campaign by #ISIS supporters online starting to look like a coordinated one: reissued releases, barrages of graphics, threats, vid, etc.

18) Campaign by #ISIS supporters online starting to look like a coordinated one: reissued releases, barrages of graphics, threats, vid, etc. pic.twitter.com/kLrSsMTZva

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

19) No link found yet between #LasVegas attacker & #ISIS, but ISIS will benefit from its claim, regardless of how truthful/untruthful it is

20)If ISIS verified as telling the truth, it will have pulled off what supporters &global jihadi movement will see as monumental achievement

21) If #ISIS is lying, it will only lose cred by those who already distrust it. To brainwashed supporters, it won’t even crack the bubble

22) #LasVegasShooting marks 1st 2017 #ISIS-claimed attack in US. Other claimed attacks in West include: UK- 4, France-3, Spain-2, Belgium-2 pic.twitter.com/3OD9Z5Wf9m

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 2, 2017

23) Reg the above map, important to mention that #LasVegasAttack is the only attack on the map that isn’t plausibly connected to #ISIS