I think the incident serves multiple purposes, and agree that what you say is one of them.
The issue is also being used to stoke racial division, distract from crime by blacks, enrage the black community, give an excuse to falsely claim "stand your ground" is in play (and to blame), and disarm the honest part of the public.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/you-get-what-you-deserve-white-boy-13-year-old-set-on-fire-in-horrific-racially-charged-attack/ why id he msm ignoring this attack?