The threat of “lone wolf” attacks from foreign and domestic extremists is the top security concern for public safety officials as Americans gather Friday for Fourth of July celebrations around the country.
Federal authorities circulated a threat assessment urging police departments nationwide to be on the lookout for radicals who see the large Independence Day crowds as target-rich environments, especially for a copycat attack similar to the ISIS-inspired assault in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
A supporter of the Islamic terror group killed 14 people on Bourbon Street when he mowed down revelers in his truck shortly after the ball dropped.
“Of these actors, U.S.-based violent extremists supporting [foreign terrorist organizations] and [domestic violent extremists] not linked to FTOs represent two of the most persistent threats,” said bulletins from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. “Lone offenders, in particular, remain a concern due to their ability to often avoid detection until operational and to inflict significant casualties.”
Officials said special events that attract throngs of people and receive extensive media coverage are favored targets for belligerents who want to “cause mass casualties or draw attention to their causes.” They’re also worried about drones being used in any attack.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security expressed concern about the potential threat considering unrest in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Hamas war.
Officials said the war has already inspired antisemitic violence in the U.S., such as the firebombing in Boulder, Colorado, that killed an elderly woman and injured more than a dozen others participating in a pro-Israel march.
The notice also mentioned how pro-Hamas sentiments motivated a gunman to kill two Israeli Embassy staffers in the District in May.
“These individuals are often motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal or personal grievances,” the bulletin said.
Federal officials were wary specifically about agitators targeting New York City and San Francisco. Both cities will see hundreds of thousands of people come together for their respective festivities.
New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there are no known threats to the city, but noted that “NYPD and our federal partners are closely monitoring the threat from lone wolf actors who are motivated by world events.”
“Our intelligence division, joint terrorism task force partners, and counterterrorism teams continue to monitor every possible lead, both domestic and international, in real time,” Ms. Tisch said.
New York City witnessed a terrorism-inspired machete attack in Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2022 when an assailant seriously wounded three NYPD officers. Prosecutors said attacker Trevor Bickford was inspired by the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she ordered state police to work security at major events throughout New York and also deployed the National Guard to high-traffic transportation hubs. Troops will be stationed along key bridges and tunnels in New York City.
In San Francisco, local police leaders said there are no known threats to the city’s celebration. Authorities said they’ve been in constant contact with state and federal partners to keep an eye out for potential disruptors.
The DHS bulletin for the city warned that “malicious actors, including violent extremists and criminals, could potentially exploit or target First Amendment-protected demonstrations via mass casualty or opportunistic attacks.”
Metropolitan Police in the nation’s capital are taking the federal notices seriously as well, with thousands of people expected to flock downtown and to the National Mall for the annual independence Day parade and the fireworks show.
MPD Chief Pamela Smith said officers will be lining the streets of Constitution Avenue Northwest for the parade.
She also said dump trucks will be positioned along key junctures of the route so any instigators eyeing the open road for a vehicle-ramming attack will be thwarted.
Chief Smith clarified, too, that there are no known threats to the District ahead of its celebration, but she told people to be vigilant when they are out and about Friday.
“You have to use your moral compass and your own values. If you feel uncomfortable about something or anything, just pick up the phone and call 911. That’s what we’re there for,” the chief said. “You might see something that shouldn’t be in a particular place, whether it’s a bag, any of those things, you should pick up the phone and contact us.”
A newer concern for federal authorities is the potential for small, remote-controlled drones to be used in violent attacks.
“Various state and nonstate actors have increased their use and modification of short-range [drones] to conduct surveillance of adversary positions, drop small munitions on targets, and detonate explosive-laden [drones] on impact to targets in conflict zones abroad,” the threat assessment said.
The bulletin for New York officials addressed how the miniature aircraft have been a devastating weapon in the Russia-Ukraine war and present a “potential risk to spectators, volunteers, security personnel, and first responders” around the events.
