Beware the lone wolf

As Americans get ready to celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday this Fourth of July weekend, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warn law enforcement officials to be on alert for what the agencies call “lone wolf attacks” in light of recent attacks at home and abroad.

Intelligence bulletins released this week by the FBI and DHS say that these lone wolf attacks pose the biggest threats to July 4 celebrations across the U.S., citing “copycat attacks and homegrown extremists” who have malicious intentions of spoiling what should be a celebratory holiday for Americans.

Lest we forget what happened literally at the start of 2025, when a suspected terrorist drove his pickup truck onto Bourbon Street in New Orleans and slammed into revelers on New Year’s Day morning, killing 14 and injuring dozens more.  

And just three years ago, a lone shooter killed seven and wounded dozens of others during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Ill.

“We are concerned about the potential threat of copycat attacks inspired by the 2025 New Year’s Day vehicle-ramming attack in New Orleans and continued messaging (from Foreign Terrorist Organizations, or FTOs) calling for attacks against Western targets,” two bulletins stated.

Both agencies specifically named New York City and San Francisco as potential cities where attackers could strike during Fourth of July festivities, with motivations tied to a broad range of grievances, particularly due to the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas, as well as Israel and Iran.

“Of these actors, U.S.-based violent extremists supporting FTOs and (domestic violent extremists) not linked to FTOs represent two of the most persistent threats,” the bulletins said. “Lone offenders, in particular, remain a concern due to their ability to often avoid detection until operational and to inflict significant casualties.”

The agencies specifically cite worries of “malicious actors and violent extremists” entering Fourth of July event areas and First Amendment-protected demonstrations with “weapons, chemical irritants, bodily fluids or other hazardous materials,” with drones and ferries also posing a threat, according to authorities.

In June, an Egyptian man in Colorado Springs, Colo., threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals participating in a gathering near the Boulder Courthouse of members of “Run for Their Lives,” which organizes weekly walks to call attention to the Israeli hostages in Gaza. 

The Molotov cocktails ignited in the crowd of people, causing burn injuries to eight individuals, with one of the burn victims succumbing to her injuries this week.

Sadly, we live in a day and age where any type of gathering, from small to large scale, could be a potential target for attacks. As we get together to celebrate our nation’s birthday this weekend, whether it be getting together with family and friends for a barbecue or a parade, or watching a local fireworks display, law enforcement officials - not just in NYC and San Francisco but throughout the U.S. - will be on high alert for any “lone wolves” looking to crash America’s annual party.