The two teenagers who opened fire at a San Diego mosque this week, killing three men, left behind writings citing the 2019 Christchurch massacre as a primary inspiration.

This attack is representative of the latest in a pattern of far-right attackers modeling themselves on prior atrocities. The Associated Press spoke to Katherine Keneally, Director of Threat Analysis and Prevention at ISD, about how violent extremist communities online have developed an obsession with emulating high-casualty attacks, and the role social media plays in radicalizing young people toward extremist violence.

“Part of what we’re seeing in violent extremist communities online is wanting to emulate the attacks that have had the most kills — which is a disgusting thing to say, but it’s the reality,” Katherine said. “There is this obsession and it’s just sort of gamifying of attacks.”

The full article is available on AP News.