Defining terrorism @Mashood

At about 12:20 am on Friday 20th July 2012 , a figure dressed in full body armour entered Century 16 theatre in Aurora, Colorado, releasing two gas canisters before proceeding to shoot at the panicked and confused audience watching the latest Batman movie, killing 12 and injuring dozens more. Minutes later, James Eagan Holmes, 24, was arrested in the car park without incident. He is currently being held at the Arapahoe County Jail to await formal charges to be filed on July 30, 2012.


In the ensuing media frenzy, a number of people have debated Holmes's motives for such a shocking attack. Some have said he was addicted to computer games, others have claimed he is schizophrenic and/or mentally ill, some have even gone on to state that secularism, his being single and evolution being taught in schools are valid reasons that explain the event. Of course, some have alluded to his acts being synonymous with being an act of terrorism. But what is terrorism, and is it a fair appraisal of Holmes's actions?