re: AP: Islamic state claims responsibility. Shooter converted to Islam months ago

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I too am skeptical of this claim, but go read pretty much anyone who focuses their career on ISIS, and they'll tell you the same - the idea ISIS will officially claim responsibility for any incident is not true at all

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ISIL will claim responsibility for attacks they had no practical involvement with. Considering the situation that ISIL finds itself in right now, they need all the press they can get.

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"The way they issue claims mixes and mingles different types of operations," he said. Groups of ISIS-trained operatives have carried out ISIS-planned bombings. ISIS handlers in Raqqa, Syria, have guided untrained people in Europe through online communications. And at the far end of the spectrum, there are "lone wolf" attacks planned and carried out independently, based on ISIS propaganda.

"You can have somebody who had no direct ties to ISIS whatsoever, at least that we're aware of — someone who was inspired by the Islamic State but not actually directed by them at all," Joscelyn said.

The attackers responsible for mass shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., and Orlando, Fla., for instance, were claimed by ISIS though they appeared to have no direct ties to the group.

ISIS is equally willing to claim them all. The distinction seems to make no difference.

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NPR what does it mean when ISIS claims credit for an attack

If ISIL was involved then they would most likely take simple steps to make that claim credible. Pre recorded statements / video or trademark and signatures etc. If they aren't involved then you will see a lot of vague bullshite and no hard evidence.