7-1 Final Project Executive Summary
7-1 Final Project: Executive Summary
Areshia Streams
PSY- 310- H6325
Professor Matthew Lunsford
Southern New Hampshire University
August 17,2022
For my final project, the scenario I chose to discuss is the case of Terik and Lori Katib.
7-1 Final Project Executive Summary
Terik and Lori Katib committed the crime of domestic terrorism. I chose this scenario because
people of Islam or the Muslim religion aren't naturally born terrorists. At some point in their
lives, they are coerced into committing acts of terrorism by someone telling them this is the way
of "Allah" and that if they commit these actions they will be rewarded in Heaven. Terik was born
and raised in the Midwest in the late 1980s to two immigrant parents from Pakistan. Growing up
Terik bared witness to his parent's abusive relationship. On countless occasions, he witnessed
firsthand the physical and verbal abuse his mother sustained at the hands of his father. As a child
Terik was described as shy and awkward by his fellow schoolmates.
A childhood friend described him as a quiet-shy guy, awkward, and not good at sports.
His friend told the story of how Terik took a trip with his father to England when he was fifteen
and got severely sick, but was unsure what it was that ailed him. When Terik returned home all
he could talk about was his love for his country and serving his country by joining the military as
a combat soldier. His room was decked out with the American flag. In college, Terik's social
worker said he was very calm but he had issues with adjusting to new environments. In their
sessions, she noted how Terik felt the need to try extra hard for people to notice him because he
thought no one liked him. He also confided in his social worker about his medical issues
involving his breathing which kept him from his dream of joining the military to become a
combat soldier.
On Terik's online dating profile, he talked about his enjoyment of target practice both
7-1 Final Project Executive Summary
alone and with his friends. This is where he would meet his wife Lori. Before they would meet in
person they became engaged. Together, through private messages, they shared a bond over
Jihadism and martyrdom. Before he committed an act of domestic terrorism, no evidence showed
Terik as a threat to national security. He had no criminal record and was not listed in any
terrorist-based screening databases. His co-workers described him as "quiet and unassuming."
They also noted his awkwardness in social situations and his constant mention of how Islam is a
peaceful religion. On the day of the attack, Terik was set to speak at the new employee
orientation. He arrived that morning and left halfway through, leaving a backpack on top of the
table where was seated. No one thought to make a deal about the backpack, assuming Terik
would return for it. During the duration of the eve