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Way too many things are being called terrorism today

Quick Hits 181 – Why was Ethan Crumbley charged with terrorism in Oxford shooting?

In the wake of another mass school shooting in the US – this time in a city near Detroit – a 15-year old teen has been charged, among other things, with ‘terrorism’. The rationale? He ‘terrorised’ the student population. Is this a good move?

Borealis looks at the ever-expanding use of terrorism in very unnecessary ways.

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Gurski: Why ‘terrorism’ shouldn’t be in Canada’s Criminal Code

Is it time to drop terrorism from the Criminal Code? Wait — what did I just ask? How in Heaven’s name can anyone suggest that terrorism, the violent phenomenon we have had on the brain for two decades now — and which is showing no signs of waning — should not be in the code?

Furthermore, how can someone who worked in counterterrorism in Canada for CSIS for 15 years, and who has written six books on the subject since 2015, think this is a good idea? Historically, some 80 third-year year criminology students received internships with Ottawa police, the RCMP, Correctional Service Canada and the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.


The hypocrisy of America’s terror debate

What is terrorism? And who is a terrorist? Two recent attacks in America — one carried out by a 39-year-old black man and another by a 15-year-old white teen — sharply illustrate just how polarised and confused the country is over these two seemingly straightforward questions.

Last Tuesday a 15-year-school boy, recently named as Ethan Crumbley, allegedly shot and killed four fellow students, injuring seven others. This happened at a high school in suburban Detroit, Michigan. The week before, Darrell Brooks allegedly drove his SUV into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six and injuring many more. According to witnesses, he appeared to be intentionally trying to hit people; one of the victims was an eight-year-old boy.


Parents of Michigan school shooting suspect are charged with involuntary manslaughter

Prosecutors have charged Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of the 15-year-old accused of murdering four students at a high school in Michigan, with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter.

The 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 pistol used in Tuesday’s shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, a small community north of Detroit, was purchased by James Crumbley at a local gun shop on Black Friday, authorities said Friday.

By Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. Phil is a 32-year veteran of CSE and CSIS and the author of six books on terrorism.

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