This research highlight provides an overview of violent incidents and plots com-mitted or attempted by supporters of al-Qa’ida and affiliated movements (AQAM) who targeted the United States between 1990 and 2013. Data are drawn from the United States Extremist Crime Database (ECDB), which includes information on the 35 homicide events* and 196 violent plots perpetrated by AQAM-related supporters during this time period.
*The “Beltway Snipers” were responsible for 15 homicide events, and throughout this highlight, findings that do not include these 15 attacks will be indicated in parentheses.
Publication Information
Gruenewald, Jeff, and Joshua D. Freilich, Steven M. Chermak, William S. Parkin. “Research Highlight: Violence Perpetrated by Supporters of al-Qa’ida and Affiliated Movements (AQAM): Fatal Attacks and Violent Plots in the United States,” Research Brief to the Resilient Systems Division, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. College Park, MD: START, 2014. http://www.start.umd.edu/pubs/START_ECDB_ViolencePerpetratedbySupportersofAQAM_ResearchHighlight_June2014.pdf