WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Former Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Stuart Kaplan says two things could have prompted the FBI's involvement in the investigation of a threat to the Los Angeles Unified School District. Proximity to San Bernardino and the FBI's special training.
"I think that the FBI early on was very concerned about other individuals being included in that network with respect to the husband and wife who carried that horrific mass shooting," Kaplan explained. "I think they've always been very concerned as to whether or not there was some other individuals that may still be laying in waiting."
At this point we do not know if there is a connection to San Bernardino. According to Kaplan the lack of details coming out of Los Angeles could be part of the investigation process.
"The FBI with their partners are out there interviewing certain individuals, looking at certain individuals and they want to try to keep this as discreet as possible," said Kaplan. "What they want to try to do is not tip their hand to alert people that in fact they may now be on their radar."
The idea is to try catch individuals in the act and keep them from shutting down, but at the same time prevent them from carrying out the threat.
"Anytime an electronic threat or communication comes in whether it's through the computer or through fax or through telephone or through some sort of electronic means," Kaplan detailed. "It's going to leave what we call a footprint."
If a footprint is found FBI investigators work backwards to try to identify the source or author of the threat, cross referencing other law enforcement agencies in an attempt match up a footprint.
"Does this footprint show up as someone who may be known to law enforcement already in the intelligence database that is being collected and utilized to try to watch certain individuals that are here on our soil."
