FBI Studies LAX Suspect's Anti-Government Views

Paul Ciancia made apparent reference to 'New World Order' theory
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 5, 2013 1:35 PM CST
FBI Studies LAX Suspect's Anti-Government Views
This photo provided by the FBI shows Paul Ciancia, 23.   (AP Photo/FBI)

We know alleged LAX shooter Paul Ciancia apparently had something against the TSA and considered TSA agents "traitors," was disappointed in the government and the NSA, considered himself a "pissed-off patriot" angry at Homeland Security, and may have been interested in the New World Order conspiracy theory. The FBI is now probing those views as investigators look into Ciancia's motive, the AP reports. The investigators got a warrant yesterday to search Ciancia's cellphone for anything related to his "views on the legitimacy or activities of the United States Government, including the existence of a plot to impose a New World Order," court documents say.

The handwritten note found in Ciancia's bag made references to the "NWO," a conspiracy theory anchored in the belief that the government or other powerful people will take away Americans' guns and personal freedoms and institute totalitarian rule. (The Daily Beast has a history of the NWO.) The note also ranted about law enforcement "pigs," "fiat currency," and TSA searches being a violation of constitutional rights; it was covered with TSA inspection stickers, used a vulgar term to refer to Janet Napolitano, and expressed animosity toward racial minorities. More news on the shooting:

  • Tony Grigsby, one of the TSA agents shot, says he was helping an elderly man to safety at the time, NBC News reports. He says he wanted "to make sure people are safe first, then worry about me," adding, "I came to TSA to protect people."
  • Both Grigsby and Ciancia's family offered condolences to the family of Gerardo Hernandez, the slain TSA agent. The other injured victims, TSA agent James Speer and teacher Brian Ludmer, are both recovering. Ciancia remains in critical but stable condition.
  • Hernandez was not at the security checkpoint when he was shot, but was checking boarding passes at the base of an escalator, ABC News reports. Earlier reports said Ciancia made it all the way to the checkpoint, but airport officials say that is not the case.
(More Paul Ciancia stories.)

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