FBI: Dangerousness Assessment and Mitigation Plan

Rachael Riggs

National American University

Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security

PRO596: Advanced Protective Intelligence

William (Bill) Gage

August 25, 2022

Abstract

This paper discusses Ricky Shiffer, an individual who attacked the FBI building in Cincinnati, Ohio, due to his right-wing extremist ideas. This paper discusses Shiffer along with his ideas, history, and actions. Mainly, the discussion entails his actions as a domestic terrorist. A Dangerousness Assessment is conducted, and a threat mitigation plan is implemented to help businesses and agencies protect themselves in the future.

Keywords: Dangerousness Assessment, Threat mitigation plan, FBI building, Ricky Shiffer

FBI: Dangerousness Assessment and Mitigation Plan

Introduction

On August 11, 2022, Ricky Shiffer attempted to break into the FBI field office in Cincinnati. Shiffer suits up in body armor. He carried an Assault Rifle and a nail gun—the latter he used to gain access to the building. Upon firing the nail gun, Shiffer left the scene in his vehicle and was pursued by officers until he reached a nearby cornfield. A six-hour standoff occurred between Shiffer and the police until negotiations failed, and his life ended. (Willis, 2022)

We will investigate the background information related to Shiffer. It looks into his history and what could have caused him to invade the FBI building on August 11. We conduct a danger assessment and a threat mitigation plan to help all FBI locations better prepare for such incidents.

Background Information on Ricky Shiffer

Ricky Shiffer, born in 1980, was 42 years old when he decided to infiltrate the Cincinnati, Ohio, FBI building. Evidence supports that he is likely a member of the "extreme right" or "radical right." Far-right groups such as those mentioned are concerned with things such as the Second Amendment, taxes, and government control of the people. (White, 2021)

Shiffer was an uncompromising Trump advocate. He was present at the January 6, 2021, insurrection and may have been part of the crowd at the capital (Welsh-Huggins, 2022). Shiffer had an active social media presence, with one of his most used accounts being on Truth Social, a social media site founded by Donald Trump's media campaign. (Collins, Reilly, Abbruzzese, & Dienst, 2022) Here, he frequently posted about Trump and the FBI, among other things.

Shiffer often spoke about his problems with the FBI and his disagreement with the government's decisions. He is against any opinions or remarks that criticize former President Trump. Shiffer's shocking ideas towards the FBI contrast with his background as a former military employee of the United States Navy. (Conklin, 2022) Shiffer believed there needed to be an attack on the FBI after they searched one of Trump's homes. Shiffer often entertained Trump conspiracy theories and his views on his social media. He posted things such as, " If you don't hear from me, it is true I tried attacking the FBI, and it'll mean either I was taken off the internet, the FBI got me, or they sent the regular cops while" (Carless W., 2022) this specific post ended mid-sentence.

Schiffer's intentions were, without a doubt, to harm or kill FBI agents. After reviewing his social media posts, he seems unlikely to have changed his thoughts or ideas. If the standoff had not occurred, it is reasonable to assume that he would have eventually caused harm to many people.

Outcome

The individual attempted to breach the Cincinnati FBI building but was unsuccessful in his attack. Due to this inability to enter, he had no choice but to flee the area. This animosity ensued in a six-hour police standoff in a cornfield outside Cincinnati, ultimately ending with the officer shooting Shiffer, who stubbornly refused to negotiate or back down.

Dangerousness Assessment

Mental Health History

Shiffer's actions showcase a strong ideology toward far-right conservatism. This ideology can be due to unique ideas or the presence of a dangerous, charismatic leader. Research into the correlation between extreme ideology and mental health has suggested that there is not a strong connection between the two. At least not when concerned with far-right political extremism. (McGreal, 2021)

The most significant finding concerning mental health correlation is that psychological distress can significantly influence adherence to far-right beliefs and extremism. (Obaidi, 2020) Another finding is that a need or desire for personal significance and identity is also associated with far-right ideologies. (Obaidi, 2020) Also prevalent with this ideology is an increased desire for obedience, structure, and authoritarianism. (Michael & J, 2008) As well as a need for cognitive closure and a dogmatic personality. (Obaidi, 2020) Ricky Shiffer also held violent and homicidal thoughts and was a Trump conspiracy theorist.

Medical History

No significant medical history. Neighbors say he may have had some anger issues, but he mostly kept to himself.

Family History

The individual grew up on a farm and was the oldest of four siblings. Neighbors regarded him as intelligent and reserved. He was raised in a respectable household with no significance to note. (Horton, Gowen, Hawkins, & Bikales, 2022)

Relationship History

No currently known history.

Employment History

In the past, Shiffer had been in the Navy and employed with the Army National Guard. His profile says he was an electrician at the time of his death. However, there is no further evidence to support this.

History of Violence or Conflict

As stated in one post, "Violence is the only answer." (Carless W., 2022)

Substance Use or Abuse History

No known history

Relationship with or use of weapons

He owns weapons, is A strong advocate of the 2nd amendment, and is obsessed with armed resistance as a form of patriotism. (Carless W., 2022)

Recent or Current Events and General Relational Conditions

Shiffer's presence at Trump's January 6, 2021, event that resulted in Trump's supporters ambushing the capital would have likely added to his political thoughts and encouraged his obsessive thinking.

The FBI's search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence seems to be what finally set him off. (Willis, Who Was Ricky Shiffer? FBI Ohio Shooting Suspect, 2022) This event is what initially began the angry social media posts, threats to the FBI, and Shiffer's posts asking for warfighters. This search appears to be the reason that Shiffer attempted to breach the FBI building and why he had stated in a post, "Kill the FBI on sight."

Threat Mitigation Plan for Deterrence

Not all threats can be lucky enough to be deterred; however, having a threat mitigation plan helps the security team plan for events that may go wrong and be ready for them when they do. It is better to plan for a situation that may never happen than to assume you are not at risk. Understanding the threats will raise awareness. Having gone through each scenario in your head will help a person in distress think quickly on their feet.

Incidents like the one outlined here and others, such as the Timothy Mcveigh bombing, highlight the importance of monitoring domestic terrorists. Right-wing extremist groups are high on the list of individuals who become problematic in domestic terrorism and political unrest. CSIS data showed that 73 far-right incidents made up an all-time annual high in 2020. (Shein, 2022) Current issues surrounding President Trump have significantly angered and outraged this group. Government agencies and leftist groups are at the top of the list of targets. Preparing for these insurgencies now is more critical than ever.

Threats

1. A current or former employee

2. Third-party contractor or business partner.

3. A person who has access to an organization's network systems, data, or premises.

4. Domestic Terrorism Risk Factors

5. Criminal history

6. Mental health issues

7. Unemployment

8. Being single

9. Social isolation

10. Military experience

Mitigation Plan

1. evaluate hiring and firing practices, reporting practices, and other processes and procedures in the organization.

2. Educate employees on risk factors and behaviors associated with domestic terrorism, workplace violence, and other insider threats. (Shein, 2022)

3. Have a straightforward and understood process for handling reports.

4. Keep communications open after reporting and follow through on reports.

5. Ensure employees feel they can speak openly, "see something, say something."

6. Keep the building security at a heightened level

7. Have an employed team whose job is to use OSINT and other forms of intelligence to discover persons of interest on social media platforms. Have a team actively monitor this group of "discovered" individuals.

                                                           References

Carless, W. (2022, August 13). 'Kill FBI on sight': Truth Social reveals the final days of the Cincinnati attacker. Retrieved from Yahoo Life: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyl...

Carless, W. (2022, August). Suspect in Cincinnati FBI breach may have posted on Trump's Truth Social during the incident. Retrieved from USA Today: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/...

Collins, B., Reilly, R. J., Abbruzzese, J., & Dienst, J. (2022, 11 August). Man who fired nail gun at FBI building called for violence on Truth Social in days after Mar-a-Lago search. Retrieved from NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/t...

Conklin, A. (2022, August 13). FBI break-in suspect Ricky Shiffer previously handled classified information for US Military: report. Retrieved from Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/us/fbi...

Horton, A., Gowen, A., Hawkins, D., & & Bikales, J. (2022, August 12). Gunman in FBI attack was Navy veteran who once handled classified info. Retrieved from The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com...

McGreal, S. A. (2021, March 17). Personality Traits, Mental Illness, and Ideology. Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.co...

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Obaidi, M. (2020, September 7). What are the psychological characteristics of people holding far-right beliefs? Retrieved from University of Oslo: https://www.sv.uio.no/c-rex/en...

Shein, M. (2022, April 11). Risk mitigation for domestic terrorism and radicalization. Retrieved from Security Magazine: https://www.securitymagazine.c...

Welsh-Huggins, A. (2022, August 12). Man killed trying to break in Ohio FBI office appeared to threaten agents in social media posts. Retrieved from PBS News Hour: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/n...

White, K. (2021, August 12). Why the Oklahoma bombing continues to cast a shadow over America. Retrieved from Open Democracy: https://www.opendemocracy.net/...

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Willis, O. (2022, August 11). Who Was Ricky Shiffer? FBI Ohio Shooting Suspect. Retrieved from Oliver Willis: https://oliverwillis.com/who-i...