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With four letters, the alleged shooter in the Allen, Texas, mass killing may have attempted to advertise his far-right political ideology during the attack.
The suspect reportedly wore a patch reading “RWDS” — or “Right Wing Death Squad” — a longtime catchphrase of the right’s fascist wing.
The phrase is a favorite of members of the Proud Boys, the right-wing street gang whose leadership was convicted last week of seditious conspiracy for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Several members of the group wore “RWDS” patches on that day, a New Yorker article from the time noted.
The Proud Boys chairman, Enrique Tarrio, is one those convicted leaders. A website called 1776.shop, where he and other Proud Boys sold merchandise, included listings for vinyl decals and patches with the text “RWDS.”
On Monday, The New York Times and Bellingcat researcher Aric Toler tracked down the online footprint that they reported belonged to the suspect, which included numerous references to neo-Nazi beliefs. Toler published a photo from the suspect’s social media profile showing a “RWDS” patch on a tactical vest.