Police in Los Angeles

It takes over two hours for the Gulfstream private jet to fly from Los Angeles to Great Falls, but today Rossi had bad luck, losing two rounds in a row. He pushed the cards away and got up to give his seat to Reid.

"Can someone tell me why the report says that the suspect had a loaded gun but chose not to resist and instead detonated a grenade?" Rossi asked as he stood up.

"Pair," Hotchner said, playing a pair of east winds and taking a sip of his coffee. As a good husband, he helped his wife care for their newborn son every night, so he was often exhausted during the day and had a coffee exemption.

"Because he wanted to make a name for himself, to be remembered, and take a few police officers down with him. Montana has many militia members like this," Hotchner explained.

"They are keen on promoting resistance and hate the federal government. They often join the military to gain experience and then stockpile weapons after retiring, forming various militias that claim to resist the government."

Hotchner's experience with these groups was evident, and the mention of militia organizations made everyone uneasy. The concept of a "militia" has a long history in this country, dating back to its founding.

During the Revolutionary War, the colonies relied on militias to fight the British and gain independence (much to the chagrin of the French). Subsequent events like the slaughter of Native Americans, the Civil War, and the Mexican-American War were largely fought by these state militias.

In 1824, these militias were renamed the National Guard, still under state control. It wasn't until 1903 that the U.S. had a federal standing army, the predecessor to today's military.

Given that militias were foundational to the country's independence, some interesting beliefs emerged. The founding fathers argued that the power to form armed forces should be granted to the states, while a federal standing army posed a threat to state autonomy.

This historical context has led to the perception that militia organizations are as significant as the country itself. In the 1960s, dissatisfaction with the federal government among both left-wing and right-wing groups led to a resurgence of militia movements in the 1970s. These movements included both right-wing and left-wing members, creating a complex emotional landscape for Americans.

Because these groups were not illegal as long as they didn't cause trouble and often had good relations with local governments, they persisted. However, in the 1990s, several major incidents involving militias, including a botched operation by federal agents, brought them back into the spotlight.

In the early 1990s, a high-profile figure became chairman of the Judiciary Committee and took a hard stance against domestic cults and unruly individuals. The ATF's failed sting operation against militia member Randy Weaver led to a tragic series of events.

After the court issued a subpoena with the wrong date, Weaver didn't show up, and a group of U.S. Marshals went to arrest him. They encountered Weaver's 14-year-old son, Sammy, and tensions escalated. A marshal shot and killed one of the family dogs, leading to a gunfight in which both a marshal and Sammy were killed.

Believing the Weaver family was resisting arrest and mourning their fallen comrade, the marshals called in reinforcements and notified the FBI. The FBI, unaware of the full situation, surrounded the Weaver family on Ruby Ridge.

When Weaver's wife, holding their baby, opened the door, she was shot and killed by an FBI sniper, leading to widespread outrage.

Subsequent events, including the Waco siege and the Oklahoma City bombing, had significant militia involvement, leaving lasting scars on the FBI and law enforcement.

"Ask the local police to send the suspect's dental records and other forensic evidence to Garcia. We'll verify the deceased's identity and pay special attention to the suspect's military background," Rossi instructed Jess, who immediately picked up the phone.

"After we land, I'll visit the explosion site and get acquainted with the local police," Hotchner said, pushing the cards aside and signaling that he had won.

"Jack and Jess, you go to the kidnapping site and see if you can talk to the victim's husband."

As the plane began its descent, everyone started packing up the mahjong tiles.

"The rest of you, set up a temporary office upon arrival and follow Dr. Reid's map to guide the local police in their search. Be prepared; we may not be welcomed warmly."

——

As soon as they got off the plane, Garcia called, indicating her progress was smooth. Jack quickly signaled for everyone to stop and put the call on speaker.

"Hey, baby, those little toys you sent me are adorable. I'll cherish them every night before bed," Garcia's playful tone made Jack roll his eyes. It seemed she couldn't go a day without adding some spice to her conversations.

"Are you talking about the panda figurines on your desk? No problem. I'll make bigger ones next time, so you'll love them even more," Jack replied, not to be outdone. The two girls beside him remained unperturbed, but Hotchner, ever the traditionalist, shot him a disapproving look.

"Let's get to the point, Garcia. You can continue your exchanges after the case," Hotchner interjected.

"Okay, boss. Francis Gorin, 42 years old, enlisted for a year but was dishonorably discharged for misconduct, including a bar fight that landed three people in the hospital. He's in the federal database because he joined an... extremist militia."

"Extremist militia?!" Jess repeated, her expression confirming their suspicions had been right.

To avoid spoilers and accusations of copying Wikipedia, readers can look up the referenced events themselves. They're quite interesting.

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