Well,
Since I do create mainstream fiction too, radicalism as a subject is part of it, so it's the one I can comment on more, and I want to dispel a misconception right away. Does who wish to do harm, find ways to do so, but it is undeniable, that if you make it so easy that applicants don't have to conform to the criminal background checks and psychological eligibility, attacks like Pittsburgh happen way more often, and yes, this level of antisemitism qualifies as mental disturbance.
While the motivation is similar (lone wolf terrorists battle the nonexistent new world order, whereas religious terrorists fight the existing one), the execution is way different. If we are to disregard self-appointed lone wolfs, like the Boston bombers, actually trained operatives are like sleeper agents or agents with a non-official cover, who's to wreak maximum havoc at the best moment nobody expects them to. As such, they look like just like us and act accordingly.
Unlike with a staged bout or preexisting knowledge, Stratus could do what any other civilian, not engage and take the nearest cover. I know, I know it doesn't sound sexy, except, for a few operatives second-guessing their choices, most are trained and expected to fight to the death, and they have the mental advantage of setting the plan in motion, whilst the other is caught by surprise.
Last but not least, the world we live in is one where radical antiglobalists only don masks for G7 meetings and return to normal life the next day, and chances are high you met one of them on the street today. If the answer is very probably you wouldn't think they throw bricks or Molotov cocktails just shines a light on how much of a chance non-special forces civilian would have against a bogey.