Maybe its just because I've been a lawyer too long, but I really think we should try to reserve judgment until the police and/or the FBI do their thing. Sectarian violence is a terrible thing and plagues much of the world, usually involving Mohammedans and I suspect it does here too. But don't jump to conclusions. I've just seen too many cases in the last 28 years when nearly everyone thought a crime had been committed one way by a definite person or persons only to find out in the end it was otherwise.
I agree. If, however, it is found to be a religious hate crime, I think a lot of people are enough on edge that it wouldn't take much to start seeing widespread retaliation against those deemed responsible for this act.
I was a cop for lots of years and I agree. However, just the fact that Islam is at the top of the motive list is rather telling. If the victim had been arguing theology with a Buddhist, Dominican, or Rabbi, then I doubt religion would even be considered as a motive. Either way, makes me glad to live on a very rural ranch.