---
title: "Lone Wolf Terrorism: Definition & Examples | Model Diplomat"
description: "Lone wolf terrorism involves an individual executing politically motivated attacks without group support, making detection challenging for agencies."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/lone-wolf-attack"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Lone wolf terrorism is a politically or ideologically motivated attack carried out by an individual acting without direct command, material support, or operational coordination from an organised group.
- How does lone wolf terrorism differ from an organised terrorist cell?
- Are lone wolf attackers genuinely isolated?
- What is the difference between lone wolf and stochastic terrorism?
- Why is lone wolf terrorism so difficult to detect?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Lone wolf terrorism is a politically or ideologically motivated attack carried out by an individual acting without direct command, material support, or operational coordination from an organised group.

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## Timeline

1. 22 July 2011

   Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people in Oslo and on Utøya island, Norway, on , having authored a 1,500-page manifesto alone.

2. 15 March 2019

   Brenton Tarrant murdered 51 worshippers at two Christchurch, New Zealand, mosques on , live-streaming the attack and citing online accelerationist material.

3. 14 July 2016

   The truck attack in Nice, France, killing 86, exemplified vehicular lone-actor violence, while the 22 May 2017 Manchester Arena bombing showed a self-radica…

4. 22 May 2017

   The 14 July 2016 truck attack in Nice, France, killing 86, exemplified vehicular lone-actor violence, while the Manchester Arena bombing showed a self-radic…

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Example

Brenton Tarrant, acting without group direction, killed 51 people at two Christchurch, New Zealand mosques on 15 March 2019, live-streaming the attack and citing online accelerationist propaganda in his manifesto.

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