Vehicles as weapons: Charlottesville crash is part of a deadly trend

Vehicles as weapons: Charlottesville crash is part of a deadly trend
Posted at 12:45 PM, Aug 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-13 12:45:59-04

Once again, a driver plowed into a crowd of innocent pedestrians, turning a car into a deadly weapon.

This time, it was in a quaint Virginia college town where demonstrators had gathered to protest white supremacists. Now, Charlottesville joins a list of cities worldwide that have fallen victim to a growing trend.

"Steal a lorry or a car and then drive it into a crowd," former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt tweeted after an April attack in Stockholm. "That seems to be the latest terrorist method."

Authorities have not said whether Saturday's attack in Virginia was an act of terrorism, but the suspect faces charges including second-degree murder.

Here's a look at some recent similar attacks and the motives behind them:

Charlottesville, Virginia

Date of attack: August 12, 2017

Number of casualties:  A 32-year-old woman was killed, and 19 people were injured.

What happened: A gray Dodge Challenger rammed into the back of a silver convertible down a narrow side street lined with walking protesters in downtown Charlottesville. The Dodge driver slammed the car in reverse, going back up the street at a high rate of speed, dragging its front bumper.

The incident took place as a rally that drew white nationalists and right-wing activists from across the country was held in the progressive college town.

Why it happened: Authorities have not announced a motive. The suspect's mother told CNN affiliate Toledo Blade that she knew her son was going to an "atl-right" rally, but said was stunned to learn her son is suspected in a deadly attack.

London (London Bridge)

Date of attack: June 3, 2017








Stockholm, Sweden

Date of attack: April 7, 2017




London (Westminster Bridge)

Date of attack: March 22, 2017




He had been convicted on a string of violent crimes and weapons charges, but officials said they weren't sure how he became radicalized.

"Clearly that's the main line of our investigation -- is what led him to be radicalized," said Mark Rowley, Britain's top counterterrorism officer. "Was it through influences in a community, influences from overseas or through online propaganda?"

Nice, France

Date of attack: July 14, 2016

Number of casualties: 84 people killed, more than 200 wounded



Why it happened: ISIS said the attack was retaliation for France's role in the fight against ISIS.

"The person who carried out the run-over in Nice, France, is one of the Islamic State soldiers and carried out the operation in response to calls to target nationals of the coalition which is fighting the Islamic State," the terror group said in a statement.


"It seems he became radicalized very quickly," Cazeneuve said.

Berlin, Germany 

Date of attack: December 19, 2016

Number of casualties: 12 people killed, at least 48 wounded


Why it happened: A video showed Amri pledging allegiance to ISIS, and the ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency said the attack was carried out by "a soldier of the Islamic State" to target citizens of countries fighting ISIS.


"This should not be taken to mean the group is claiming it directed this attack," Cruickshank said.

Columbus, Ohio

Date of attack: November 28, 2016

Number of casualties: 11 people wounded




In a Facebook post shortly before the rampage, the Somali immigrant said he was "sick and tired" of seeing fellow Muslims "killed and tortured," federal law enforcement officials said.

He urged America "to stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah," a term for Muslim people at large. "By Allah, we will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims," he wrote.


Date of attack: January 8, 2017




"All signs show he is a supporter of the Islamic State," Netanyahu said in January. "We know there is a sequence of terror attacks, and it's quite possible that there is a connection between them, from France, Berlin and now Jerusalem."

St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec

Date of attack: October 20, 2014

Number of casualties: One soldier killed, one soldier wounded


Why it happened: Authorities said they believe Couture had been "radicalized." He was arrested in July 2013, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

"When he was arrested, he was about to go to Turkey," police spokeswoman Martine Fontaine said. "We stopped him as he was about to leave Canada for terrorist actions. He was questioned when he was arrested."

But authorities lacked enough evidence to keep Couture in custody.

Why vehicle attacks? 


In fact, an al Qaeda magazine published an article in 2010 titled "The Ultimate Mowing Machine."

The article calls for using a pickup as a "mowing machine, not to mow grass but mow down the enemies of Allah."

It said a four-wheel-drive pickup is needed -- "the stronger the better."



"The ISIS call, as well as that of other terrorist groups, has been to use what you have on hand," Miller said in 2015.

"And that means if you can make a bomb, you're a bomber. But if you can't, use a gun. And if you can't find a gun, use a knife. And if you can't find a knife, use a car. So when we look at that, that is a broad spectrum of threats, and it's something to prepare for."