Targeted Violence: A Statistical and Tactical Analysis of Assassinations, Contract Killings, and Kidnappings

Drawn from case examples of incidents from around the world, Targeted Violence: A Statistical and Tactical Analysis of Assassinations, Contract Killings, and Kidnappings is the most complete resource of information on the attack methodologies, tactics used, and groups responsible for targeted killings and kidnappings. The author, a former SWAT and JTTF team member―whose experience includes providing protection to diplomats, high-ranking military personnel, prosecutors, and organized crime informants―presents a wealth of global statistics on assassinations, contract killings, and kidnappings that have occurred from 1950 to the present.

Leaving no stone unturned, the book breaks down the various incidents of targeted violence by region, country, month, day of the week, and time of day. It reports on likely locations for each type of attack, success rates, who is likely to initiate the attacks, and who they are most likely to target. The book’s easy-to-follow format allows readers, experienced or not in personal protective work, to determine the types of attacks known to have occurred in any region.

This complete reference includes 35 case studies that examine attacks on motorcades and pedestrians dating back to 1973―highlighting the lessons to be learned from each example. It analyzes the modus operandi of individual assailants and groups in order to determine commonalities between targeted victims and why certain groups tend to target a specific type of individual. The text concludes with a chapter on victimology.

Just like anyone, assassins and hit men fall into routines and can become creatures of habit. By studying and understanding the collection of historical information contained in these pages, security, military, and law enforcement professionals responsible for providing protection will be better prepared to identify potential threats and develop the tactics needed to thwart such attacks.

Glenn McGovern, district attorney investigator, Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, police officer, deputy sheriff, law enforcement specialist, began his law enforcement career in 1986 as an eighteen-year-old member of the U.S. Air Force Security Police. It was here that he first began his studies of terrorism, tactical operations, and protective details. Europe, at the time, was on fire as groups such as the Sicilian mafia, November 17, Red Army Faction, Hizbollah, and many others were conducting their terrorist attacks. As a newly minted law enforcement member who was also assigned to a police unit that had a combat mission and was deployable worldwide, the study of the tactics used by these groups was mandatory. It was during this time that he had his first introduction to close personal protection operations, first with Soviet diplomats visiting under the SALT II treaties, then later in Panama with the commanding general of all U.S. forces in South America. He was also involved in an unusual protective operation in that he was locked in with the protectee, which in this case was over $16 million in cash en route to the U.S. military installations in the Pacific.Upon completion of his military service, he went to work for the Orange County Marshal‘s Department, assigned to courthouse security as well as bailiff functions. Upon completing the sheriff‘s academy, he was assigned as a deputy sheriff working in the jails. Approximately two years later he obtained a position with the Pacific Grove Police Department in Monterey County. While there he worked as a patrolman, detective, and corporal. He also held a collateral assignment as a member of the SWAT team. Although the Pacific Grove Police Department was small, as were many of the departments on the coast, being on one of only three SWAT teams in the entire county, he had the opportunity to participate in a variety of operations, from hostage situations to barricaded gunmen to many hig