Las Vegas Shooters Linked To ‘III Percent’ Patriot Movement
The suspected Las Vegas shooters were the subject of a lengthy local profile in the Las Vegas Review Journal, but an expert on domestic extremists says that the pair may have been more ” ‘III Percent’ Patriot ” extremists than white separatists.
While media reports have yet to name the Las Vegas shooter suspects initially, the Southern Poverty Law Center — a group that in part monitors domestic hate groups — has identified the deceased suspects as married couple Jerad Miller and Amanda Miller.
Facebook posts recently shared by the suspects reveal a political stripe in line with patriot movement rhetoric, but the most recent by suspected shooter Jerad Miller hints at a simmering intent to make “sacrifices” of unspecified description:
[fb link=”https://www.facebook.com/jerad.miller.1/posts/720142201357953″][/fb]
Further down on Miller’s page are references to conspiracy theories like chemtrails and posts about Benghazi, as well as several memes involving gun control.
Amanda Miller’s “likes” on Facebook — where she chronicled her life in Las Vegas — included Ron Paul, a III Percenter page, the Drudge Report, and several other right-wing pages.
Jerad Miller “liked” Three Percenter Nation, the NRA, Conservative Daily, and Operation American Spring. According to J.M. Berger, a noted expert on domestic extremists, the affiliation of the suspected Las Vegas shooters may be a harbinger of future violent discontent.
A Gawker article on the Las Vegas shooters and “patriot” militias prompted Berger to speak at length about the rise in domestic terror, and he explained on Twitter:
They covered slain officers with Gadsen “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, said they were ejected from Bundy Ranch standoff http://t.co/lVdQazrBIn
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
It appears that the couple spoke at length about an inclination to violence:
Neighbors: Couple suspected in Las Vegas killing spree vowed to commit ‘next Columbine’ – Las Vegas Sun News http://t.co/k0SAxBnrAe
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
Most mass shootings lead to “what were the missed signs” talk. These two practically rented a billboard http://t.co/1Q9mJIwiah
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
In Berger’s estimation, classifying the suspects in the Las Vegas shootings as white supremacists is probably inaccurate, and he adds:
I’m not sure whether the white supremacist categorization is going to stick. These guys are starting to look like Patriot Movement to me.
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
So the short version as of now: The Vegas shooters — terrorists, in fact — appear to be fans of the III Percent Patriot movement.
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
Most worryingly, Berger muses:
I fear things are going to start getting real interesting, real fast.
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
However, he reiterates:
It’s unclear to me whether the Vegas attackers were also into white nationalism. Their social media profile suggests not.
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) June 9, 2014
Reportedly, the Las Vegas shooters left behind a “manifesto,” which if found could clarify their motivations.
[Image: Jerad Miller Facebook]
