Yes, I recall that. I further recall that Michael Rivero was roundly and soundly criticized and eventually zotted for his analysis of this event, and accused of being somehow against the Navy and the US Armed Forces, though all he did was make an analysis.
I have it on very good authority that other friendly-fire shootdowns of friendly assets have taken place, and that the crews of the initiating assets involved have been threatened, sworn to secrecy and monitored. Thus, I have no difficulty believing that such is possible.
A man can be threatened with injury or death only to receive a "bring it, and bring a lunch" response. However, if it is made clear to the same man that he cannot hope to protect his wife/children/loved ones 24x7, and that the threatening parties have the intel and capacity to carry out their threats, well, that is a much different story, is it not?
It makes me wonder just who was on board that flight. I believe that this aircraft was not targeted randomly.
You would have to check the manifest (if it still exists intact). It would also be interesting to compare it with the ValuJet manifest from May of 1996. Also keep in mind that Ron Brown was murdered in April of 1996.
If you wanted someone dead can you describe a killing scenario that would be more complex, require more resources, and need the involvement of more people in the conspiracy than shooting down TWA 800?
Seriously, if the government wanted someone dead why not just deploy a CIA team? More sure and much more secure.