National Terrorism Advisory System May 24, 2023, 2:00 PM ET

Bulletin

DHS.gov/advisories

This Bulletin will expire on 

November 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM 

If You See Something, Say Something® Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or call 911.

The National Terrorism Advisory System providesinformation on homeland security issues and threats. It is distributed by the Department of Homeland Security.

More information is available at: DHS.gov/advisories. To receive mobile updates: Twitter.com/dhsgov. 

If You See Something, Say Something® used with permission of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

SUMMARY OF TERRORISM-RELATED THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES

The United States remains in a heightened threat environment. Lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and 

personal grievances continue to pose a persistent and lethal threat to the Homeland. Both domestic violent extremists (DVEs) and those 

associated with foreign terrorist organizations continue to attempt to motivate supporters to conduct attacks in the Homeland, including 

through violent extremist messaging and online calls for violence. In the coming months, factors that could mobilize individuals to commit 

violence include their perceptions of the 2024 general election cycle and legislative or judicial decisions pertaining to sociopolitical issues. Likely 

targets of potential violence include US critical infrastructure, faith-based institutions, individuals or events associated with the LGBTQIA+ 

community, schools, racial and ethnic minorities, and government facilities and personnel, including law enforcement. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• In May 2023, a now-deceased individual killed eight and injured seven others at

an outlet mall in Allen, Texas. Law enforcement continues to investigate the

motive behind the attack, but initial reporting suggests the attacker fixated on

mass shootings and held views consistent with racially or ethnically motivated

violent extremist (RMVE) and involuntary celibate violent extremist ideologies.

• In March 2023, a now-deceased individual shot and killed six people at a

Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee. Law enforcement

continues to investigate the motive behind the attack and has indicated the

individual studied other mass murderers.

• Also in March 2023, a RMVE driven by a belief in the superiority of the white

race was arrested and charged with allegedly attempting to use an improvised

incendiary device to burn down a church in Ohio that was planning to host a

drag-themed event.

• In February 2023, two RMVEs driven by a belief in the superiority of the white

race were arrested and are now awaiting trial for plotting an attack against

electrical substations in Maryland. These arrests followed a series of recent

attacks against electrical infrastructure, which some DVEs have praised and

leveraged to call for more attacks on critical infrastructure.

• Since spring of 2022, alleged DVEs in Georgia have cited anarchist violent

extremism, animal rights/environmental violent extremism, and anti-law

enforcement sentiment to justify criminal activity in opposition to a planned

public safety training facility in Atlanta. Criminal acts have included an alleged

shooting and assaults targeting law enforcement and property damage

targeting the facility, construction companies, and financial institutions for their

perceived involvement with the planned facility.

• Meanwhile, foreign terrorists continue to use media to call for lone offender

attacks in the West, condemn US foreign policy, and attempt to expand their

reach and grow global support networks. Most recently, in January 2023, an

individual from Maine who was inspired by a variety of foreign terrorist content

was charged with federal crimes for an attack on New York City Police

Department (NYPD) officers during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times

Square.

RESOURCES TO STAY SAFE

Stay Informed and Prepared

• Be prepared for emergency situations and remain 

aware of circumstances that may place you at risk.

Make note of your surroundings and the nearest

security personnel.

• Keep yourselfsafe online and maintain digital and

media literacy to recognize and build resilience to

false or misleading narratives.

• Review Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

resources for how to better protect businesses,

houses of worship, and schools, and ensure the

safety of public gatherings.

• Prepare for potential active shooter incidents, build

counter-improvised explosive device capabilities, and

enhance awareness of terrorist threats, to include 

bomb threats.

• Learn more about community-based resources

including Community Awareness Briefingsto help

prevent individualsfrom radicalizing to violence.

• The Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR)

Initiative (NSI) is a collaborative effort by DHS, the 

FBI, and law enforcement partners to identify and

report threats of terrorism and other related

criminal activity.

• The Power of Hello Campaign and De-Escalation

Series help you observe and evaluate suspicious

behaviors, including information to mitigate

potential risks, and obtain help when necessary. 

• View webinars on Building Partnerships, and

Preventing Targeted Violence and Protecting the

Safety and Security of Houses of Worship.

Report Potential Threats

• Listen to local authorities and public safety officials.

• If You See Something, Say Something®. Report

suspicious activity and threats of violence, including

online threats, to local law enforcement, FBI Field

Offices, or your local Fusion Center. Call 911 in case of

emergency.

• If you know someone who is struggling with mental

health issues or may pose a danger to themselves or

others, seek help.
National Terrorism Advisory System May 24, 2023, 2:00 PM ET

Bulletin

DHS.gov/advisories

This Bulletin will expire on 

November 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET

If You See Something, Say Something® Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or call 911.

The National Terrorism Advisory System providesinformation on homeland security issues and threats. It is distributed by the Department of Homeland Security.

More information is available at: DHS.gov/advisories. To receive mobile updates: Twitter.com/dhsgov. 

If You See Something, Say Something® used with permission of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

DHS works with partners across every level of government, in the private sector, and in local communities to keep Americans safe, 

including through the following examples of our resources and support:

• DHS and the FBI continue to share timely and actionable information and intelligence with the broadest audience possible. This

includes sharing information and intelligence with our partners across every level of government and in the private sector. We

conduct recurring threat briefings with private sector, state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus partners, including to inform security

planning efforts. DHS remains committed to working with our partners to identify and prevent all forms of targeted violence and

terrorism, and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe.

• DHS, in collaboration with its federal partners, launched the Prevention Resource Finder (PRF) website in March 2023. The PRF is a

comprehensive web repository of federal resources available to help communities understand, mitigate, and protect themselves from

targeted violence and terrorism.

• The DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships continues to engage a coalition of faith-based and community

organizations, including members of the Faith-based Security Advisory Council (FBSAC), which DHS reconstituted in July 2022, to help

build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations seeking to protect their places of worship and community spaces.

• DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center in 2021 jointly updated

behavioral indicators of U.S. extremist mobilization to violence. Further, I&A’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program

continues to provide tools and resources for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners on preventing terrorism and

targeted violence, including online suspicious activity reporting training.

• DHS’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Intermodal Security Training and Exercise Program (I-STEP) and Exercise Information

System (EXIS®) work with government and private sector partners – including owners and operators of critical transportation

infrastructure – to enhance security and reduce risks posed by acts of terrorism.

• DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) works with government and private sector partners – including owners

and operators of critical infrastructure and public gathering places – to enhance security and mitigate risks posed by acts of terrorism

and targeted violence through its network of Protective Security Advisors and resources addressing Active Shooters, School Safety,

Bombing Prevention, and Soft Targets-Crowded Places.

• DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) educates and trains stakeholders on how to identify indicators of

radicalization to violence, where to seek help, and the resources that are available to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. In 2022,

CP3 awarded about $20 million in grants through its Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program. To date, over

100 applicants and more than $50M in grant funds have been requested for the FY23 grant cycle.

• In 2021 and 2022, DHS designated domestic violent extremism as a “National Priority Area” within its Homeland Security Grant Program

(HSGP), enabling our partnersto access critical funds that help prevent, prepare for, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from

related threats.

• In 2022, DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provided over $250 million in funding to support target hardening and other

physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack.

• SchoolSafety.gov consolidates school safety-related resources from across the government. Through this website, the K-12 academic

community can also connect with school safety officials and develop school safety plans.