Alleged Manchester Attacker Known To Police, But Not Considered Imminent Threat

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- While the suicide bomber responsible for the Manchester bombing was known to police, he was considered only a minor figure, not an imminent threat.

It's still unclear how he was able to get into the area undetected.

Screams of horror filled the Manchester Arena, with the most vulnerable victims targeted in the blast.

Police say the attacker is 22-year-old Salman Abedi, who was born and raised in Manchester, but in an area that's known as a recruiting ground for ISIS.

Authorities knew who he was, but considered him a minor figure who was on the fringes of Islamic militant movements.

Experts say it's far from unusual to have one radicalized individual who can inflict this much damage and death.

In January, five people were gunned down inside the Fort Lauderdale airport.

Months before that, 49 people were killed at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.

Like the Manchester explosion, these were done by lone attackers.

"Individuals who are not well integrated are especially right for this kind of radicalization," said Dr. Gary Lafree.

He also says we've seen a continual rise in suicide bombers.

"They're especially deadly, kind of like smart bombs because the perpetrator can get into areas that you couldn't get into with even military ordinance," Dr. Lafree said.

Attacks that are often too easy to slip through the cracks.

"The areas where people can be hit are phenomenal," said Dr. Lafree. "Terrorists have to be right only once, but we have to be right every time."

While Abedi is pinned as a lone attacker, authorities say they're investigating a network.

Reports indicate that the father and one of the brothers of the suicide bomber have now been arrested as well.

According to the Associated Press, the father of the alleged suicide bomber claims his son is innocent.

Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook